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JOHN EVELYN'S LIFE OF 
MRS. GODOLPHIN. 



THE LIFE OF 

MRS. GODOLPHIN 

BY JOHN EVELYN 

OF WOOTTON ESQ. 



Now first published and 
Edited by Samuel Lord Bishop of Oxford 

Chancellor of the Most Noble 
Order of the Garter 



NEW- YORK: 

D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 200 BROADWAY. 

PHILADELPHIA I 

GEO. S. APPLETON, 148 CHESNUT-ST. 

MDCCCXLVII. 



I THB LIBRARY 
#F CONGRESS 

WASHINGTON 



To His Grace 

EDWARD, 

Lord Archbishop of York, Lord High Almoner, 
&c. 

My Lord Archbishop, 

Your Grace will, I trust, allow me to inscribe the 
following pages to you. 

Your unmerited kindness, shown to me on many 
other occasions, intrusted them to me for publication ; 
and I well know that whilst your Grace has felt that the 
light of such an example as they exhibit aught not to 
be concealed, you rejoice to know that you have lived to 
see a British Court which in purity of morals and 
domestic virtue affords the most blessed contrast to those 
evil days through which Margaret Godolphin was ena- 
bled to live in the brightness of a godly purity, and to 
die in peace. 

I have the honour to be, 

Your Grace's obliged and 
affectionate 

S. Oxon: 

Cuddesdon Palace, 
Feb. 1847. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The following Memoir was drawn up by the ac- 
complished John Evelyn, of Wootton, and intended by 
him for publication; but it never received his final 
corrections. In a manuscript paper of memoranda 
left at Wootton in Mr. Evelyn's hand- writing, its title 
occurs in a list of " Things I would write out faire and 
reform if I had the leisure." In his family, the MS. 
has remained until the present time, having passed into 
the hands of Mr. Evelyn's great-great-grandson,* His 
Grace the Honourable Edward Venables-Vernon Har- 
court, Lord Archbishop of York, by whom it has been 
intrusted for publication to the care of the present Editor. 
The MS. which is written with extraordinary care and 
neatness, and apparently in Mr. Evelyn's own hand- 

* See Table V. p. 151. 



INTRODUCTION. 



writing, has been printed almost as it stands. The 
original spelling, which is not uniform throughout the 
volume, has been preserved wherever its strangeness 
did not throw some obscurity over the meaning of the 
passage. A few words which here and there were 
needful to complete the sense have been conjecturally 
inserted, but always in brackets. 

The text is illustrated by two genealogical tables, a 
short sketch of the life of Sir George Blagge, and a 
valuable body of illustrative notes, which the Editor 
owes to the accurate and well-furnished pen of John 
Holmes, Esq. of the British Museum, who has kindly 
contributed them to this volume. 

From the genealogical table it will be seen, that 
Mrs. Godolphin sprang from an ancient and honourable 
house, and that her blood still flows in the veins of 
some of the most illustrious of the nobility of England. 
Her husband, who rose to the highest honours of the 
state, was early left a widower, and, surviving his wife 
thirty-four years, never remarried. He transmitted to 
Francis, their only child, the earldom of Godolphin. 
This Francis, 2nd Earl of Godolphin, married Hen- 



INTRODUCTION. XI 



rietta Churchill, eldest daughter and co-heir of John 
Duke of Marlborough, to whom in her own right passed 
the dukedom of Marlborough. By the death without 
issue of William Godolphin, first, Viscount Rialton, and 
afterwards, Marquis of Blandford, — their only son who 
attained to manhood, — the honours of the house of 
Marlborough passed to the family of Spencer from the 
descendants of Margaret Godolphin. By the marriage 
of Mary the heiress of the 2nd Lord Godolphin to 
Thomas the 4th Duke of Leeds, her name and blood 
passed into the succession of that illustrious house. 

But it was not for gentle descent or noble alliance 
that Margaret Godolphin was the most remarkable or 
best deserves remembrance. Rather did she add dis- 
tinction to an ancient line, and transmit to all her pos- 
terity that memory of her virtues and inheritance of 
good deeds without which titles and hereditary rank 
are but splendid contradictions and conspicuous blem- 
ishes. 

Her lot was cast in the darkest age of England's 
morals ; she lived in a court where flourished in their 
rankest luxuriance all the vice and littleness, which the 



Xll INTRODUCTION. 



envy of detractors without, has ever loved to impute — 
and at times, thank God, with such utter falsehood — 
to courts in general. 

In the reign of Charles the Second, that revulsion 
of feeling which affects nations just as it does indi- 
viduals had plunged into dissipation all ranks on their 
escape from the narrow austerities and gloomy sourness 
of puritanism. The court, as was natural, shared to the 
full in these new excesses of an unrestrained indulgence ; 
whilst many other influences led to its wider corrup- 
tion. The foreign habits contracted in their banish- 
ment by the returning courtiers were ill suited to the 
natural gravity of English manners, and introduced at 
once a wide-spread licentiousness. The personal char- 
acter, moreover, of the King helped on the general cor- 
ruption. Gay, popular, and witty, with a temper 
nothing could cross, and an affability nothing could 
repress, he was thoroughly sensual, selfish, and de- 
praved — vice in him was made so attractive by the wit 
and gaiety with which it was tricked out, that its ut- 
most grossness seemed for the time rather to win than 
to repulse beholders. Around the King clustered a 
band of congenial spirits, a galaxy of corruption, who 



INTRODUCTION* Xlll 



spread the pollution upon every side. The names of 
Buckingham and Rochester, of Etheridge, Lyttelton, 
and Sedley, still maintain a bad pre-eminence in the 
annals of English vice. As far as the common eye 
could reach there was little to resist the evil. The 
Duke of York, the next heir to the throne, a cold- 
hearted libertine, shared the vices of the King, without 
the poor gloss of his social attractions. It was the day 
of England's deepest degradation, when in private life 
morality was a reproach, truth departed, and religion a 
jest ; when in affairs of state French gold and foreign 
influence had corrupted and subdued the throned mon- 
arch, and England's King was daily losing what had 
been gained by the Protector of the Commonwealth. 

It was a day of heartless merriment, upon which 
fell suddenly a night of blackness, which swallowed up 
its crew of godless revellers. A picture more deeply 
tragical than that thus simply sketched by Mr. Evelyn 
at the end, of Charles himself, can scarcely be con- 
ceived. " I can never forget the inexpressible luxury 
and prophaneness, gaming and all dissoluteness, and as it 
were total forgetfulness of God (it being Sunday even- 
ing) which this day se'nnight I was witness of, the 



XIV INTRODUCTION. 



King sitting and toying with his concubines, Ports- 
mouth, Cleaveland, and Mazarine, &c. a French boy- 
singing love songs in that glorious gallery, whilst about 
20 of the great courtiers and other dissolute persons 
were at Basset round a large table, a bank of at least 
2000 in gold before them, upon which two gentlemen 
who were with me made reflexions with astonishment. 
Six days after was all in the dust." 

Evelyn's Diary, Feb. 1684-5. 



In the midst of such a general reign of wickedness, 
it is most refreshing to the wearied spirit to find by 
closer search some living witnesses for truth and holi- 
ness — some who, through God's Grace, passed at His 
call their vexed days amongst the orgies of that crew, 
as untainted by its evils, as is the clear sunbeam by the 
corruption of a loathsome atmosphere. Such an one 
was Margaret Godolphin, whom neither the license of 
those evil days, nor the scandal and detraction with 
which they abounded, ever touched in spirit or in 
reputation.- Verily she walked in the flames of " the 
fiery furnace and felt no hurt, neither did the smell of 
fire pass upon her." 



INTRODUCTION. XV 



• In what strength she lived this life the following 
pages will declare. They will show that ever by her 
side, conversing with her spirit through its living faith, 
there was a fourth form like unto the Son of God. 
And one thing for our instruction and encouragement 
may here be specially noted : that in that day of reproach 
she was a true daughter of the Church of England. 
Puritanism did not contract her soul into moroseness ; 
nor did she go to Rome to learn the habits of devotion. 
In the training of our own Church she found enough of 
God's teaching to instruct her soul ; in its lessons she 
found a rule of holy self-denying obedience ; in its 
prayers a practice of devotion ; in its body a fellow- 
ship with saints ; in its ordinances a true communion 
with her God and Saviour ; which were able to main- 
tain in simple, unaffected purity her faith at court, in 
dutiful, active love her married life ; which sufficed to 
crown her hours of bitter anguish and untimely death 
with a joyful resignation and assured waiting for her 
crown. 

Such is the sketch presented in these pages to the 
reader. May he in a better day learn in secret, for 



XVI INTRODUCTION. 



himself, those lessons of heavenly wisdom which 
adorned the life and glorified the death of Margaret 
Godolphin. 



THE LIFE 

OF 

MRS- GODOLPHIN. 



Vn Dieu vn Amy. 

Madam, 



I am not vnmindfull of what your Ladyship lately 
suggested to me concerning that blessed Saint now in 
heaven. Doe you beleive I need be incited to preserve 
the memory of one whose Image is soe deeply printed 
in my heart ? Butt you would have a more perma- 
nent Record of her perfections, and soe would I ; not 
onely for the veneration wee beare her precious Ashes, 
butt for the good of those who, emulous of her vertues, 
would pursue the Instance of it, in this, or perhapps 
any age before it. 'Tis certaine the materialls I have 
by me would furnish one who were Master of a Stile 
becomeing soe admirable a Subject ; and wish'd I have, 
a thousand tymes, the person in the world who knew 
her best, and most she loved, would give vs the picture 
his pencill could best delineat : if such an Artist as 
he is decline the vndertakeing, for fear that even with 
all his skill he should not reach the originall, how farr 
short am I like to fall, who cannot pretend to the 
meanest of his Talents. But as indignation (they say) 
sometymes creats a poem where there is no naturall 

2 



THE LIFE OF 



disposition in the composer ; soe a mighty obligation, a 
holy freindshipp, and your Ladyshipp's comands, irre- 
sistibly prevaile with me rather to hazard the censure 
of my Imperfections, then to disobey you, or suffer 
those precious memoryes to be lost which deserve con- 
secration to Eternity : 'tis then the least and last ser- 
vice I can express to a dyeing friend for whom I 
should not have refused even to dye my selfe. Butt, 
Madam, you will not expect I should be soe exactly 
particular in the minuter circumstances of her birth 
and what past in her Infancy and more tender years, 
because, [though] I have sometimes told her pleasantly 
I would write her life, when God knowes I little 
thought of surviveing her whome often I have wished 
might be att the closeing of myne owne Eyes, I had 
not the honor of being acquainted with her till the 
last seaven years of her life ; I say the little expecta- 
tion I had of erecting to her a monument of this nature, 
made me not soe Industrious to Informe myselfe of 
what was past as I should have beene, for I am per- 
swaded that from the begining something of exterord- 
nary remarkeable was all along conspicuous in her ; 
nor was it possible that my admiration of her vertues, 
when I came to know her, should not have prompted 
me to enquire concerneing many particulars of her life 
before I knew her ; something I learned casually con- 
versing with her, diverse things from the papers comu- 
nicated to me since her decease, and from what your . 
Ladyshipp has Informed me ; from whome I might 
derive ample matter to furnish vpon this subject ; butt, 
as I said, it would become a steadier hand and the 
penn of an Angells wing to describe the life of a Saint, 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 3 



who is now amongst those Illustrious orders: butt, 
Madam, 'tis your peremptorye Comand, I should sett 
downe what I know, and how diffident soever I ought 
to be of acquitting my selfe as I should, yett since 'tis 
hardly possible to say any thing soe indifferently, butt 
must raise an Emulation in those that read or hear of 
it to Imitate her vertues, [I enter] vpon the adventure. 

"Where this excellent creature was borne, I have 
learned from you ; when, from herselfe ; namely, as I 
remember, on the Second of August, in the year 1652 ; 
a month and a year never to be forgotten by me with- 
out a mixture of different passions, for then had I born 
that child whose early hopes you have often heard me 
deplore the loss of, nor doe I yett remember him with- 
out emotion. 

'Tis not to informe your Ladyshipp of a thing you 
doe not know, butt for methods sake, that I speake 
something of the family of this Lady, which was very 
honorable : her father was Collonell Thomas Blagge, 
a Gent, of an ancient Suffolke family, and a person 
of soe exterordnary witt and signal Loyalty, as not 
only made him esteemed by that blessed Martyr Charles 
the First, being made Groome of his Bedd Chamber, 
butt to be intrusted with one of his principall Garrisons, 
namely that of Wallingford, dureing the late rebellion. 
How worthyly he acquitted himselefe of that charge 
in that unhappy warr, is upon another monumental 
Record. Hee lived to see his Majestye who now raignes 
restored to his Kingdomes and to dye in his favour. 
Mrs. Blagge, his Lady, (Mother to our Saint) was a 



THE LIFE OF 



woman soe eminent in all the vertues and perfections 
of her sex, that it were hard to say whether were 
superior her Beauty, Witt, or Piety ; for, as I have heard 
from those who intimately knew her, she was in all 
these very like her daughter, and then I am sure there 
could nothing be added to render her a most admirable 
person. The iniquitye of the tymes had acquainted 
her with sorrow enough to have distracted her, being 
left butt in difficult circumstances, yett she lived to 
discharge all her husband's engagements that were 
very considerable, and to provide an honourable com- 
petency for noe less then 3 young daughters, whereof 
this was the youngest. 

Itt was by this excellent mother that this rare child 
was as early instituted in the fear of God as she could 
speake : and as her exterordnary discernment soone 
advanced to a great and early sense of Religion, soe 
she brought her to be confirmed by the now Lord 
Bishopp of Ely, Doctor Gunning, who itt appeares was 
soe surprized att those early Graces he discovered in 
her, that he thought fitt she should be admitted to the 
holy Sacrament when she was hardly Eleaven years 
of Age : from that moment forwards, young and 
sprightfull as she was, she was observed to live with 
great circumspection, prescribeing to herselfe a constant 
method of devotion, and certaine dayes of abstinence, 
that she might the better vacate to holy dutyes and 
gaine that mastery over her appetite, which, with all 
other passions, she had strangely subdued to rriy often 
admiration. Butt I should have told your Ladyshipp, 
though I remember not on what occasion, she went 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 



with the old Dutchess of Richmond into France, who 
consign'd her to the care of the late Countess of Guil- 
ford, Groome of the Stoole to the late Queens Mother, 
with whome she continued till her Majestye came into 
England : And this minds me of what I have heard, 
that being frequently tempted by that Bygott proseli- 
tesse to go to Masse, and be a papist, our young Saint 
would not only not be perswaded to it, but asserted her 
better faith with such readiness and constancy, (as 
according to the argument of that keen Religion) 
caused her to be rudely treated and menaced by the 
Countess ; soe as she was become a Confessor and 
almost a Martyr before she was 7 years old. This 
passage I have from her selfe and she would relate it 
with pretty circumstances ; but long staid she not in 
France ; when being returned to her mother, she lived 
with her sometyme in London, till the raigneing pesti- 
lence of Sixty-five breakeing out, every body retireing 
into the Country, she accompanyed her into SmTolke 
amongst her fathers Relations there, and past the Re- 
cess with soe much order and satisfaction, that with 
exterordnary regrett she was taken notice of to quitt it ; 
when being demanded by the then Dutchess of Yorke 
for a Maid of Honour, her Mother was prevailed with 
to place her little Daughter att Court. This was 
indeed a surprizeing change of Aire, and a perilous 
Climate, for one soe very young as she, and scarcely 
yett attained to the twelvth year of her age : butt by 
how much more the danger soe much greater the vir- 
tue and discretion which not only preserved her steady 
in that giddy Station, but soe improv'd, that the exam- 
ple of this little Saint influenced not onely her honour- 



THE LIFE OF 



able companions, butt some who were advanc'd in 
yeares before her, and of the most illustrious quality. 
What ! shall I say, she like a young Apostless began 
to plant Religion in that barren Soyie ? Arethusa 
pass'd thro' all those turbulent waters without soe 
much as the least staine or tincture in her Christall, 
with her Piety grew vp her Witt, which was soe 
sparkling, accompany ed with a Judgment and Elo- 
quence soe exterordnary, a Beauty and Ay re soe 
charmeing and lovely, in a word, an Address soe vni- 
versally takeing, that after few years, the Court never 
saw or had seen such a Constellation of perfections 
amongst all their splendid Circles. Nor did this, nor 
the admiration it created, the Elogies she every day 
received, and application of the greatest persons, at all 
elate her ; she was still the same, allwayes in perfect 
good humour, allwayes humble, allwayes Religious to 
exactness. Itt rendred her not a whitt moross, tho' 
sometymes more serious, casting still about how she 
might continue the houres of publique and private 
devotion and other exercises of piety, to comply with 
her duty and attendance on her Royall Mistress with- 
out singularity or Reproach. 

Thus pass'd she her tyme in that Court till the Dutch- 
ess dyed, dureing whose Sickness, accompanyed (as it 
was) with many vncomfortable, circumstances, she 
waited and attended with an exterordnary sedulity, and 
as she has sometymes told me, when few of the rest 
were able to endure the fatigue : and therefore here, be- 
fore I proceed, I cannot but take notice of those holy 
and exterordnary reflections she made upon this occa- 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 



sion, as I find them amongst other loose papers vn- 
der her owne faire hand, when compareing her dear 
Mother's sickness and other freinds departure with that 
of the Dutchess, thus she writes. 

" Mrs. N. dead, was an example of patience vnder 
a burthen that was well nigh vnsupportable ; often she 
received the blessed Sacrament, often she prayed and 
was very much resign 'd, not surprized nor in confusion, 
but perceiveing her sight decay, calling vpon God after 
many holy and pious discourses and exhortations, she 
calmely bidd her freinds farewell. 

" A poore woman dead, worne to skyn and bones 
with a consumption, she made noe Complaints, but 
trusted in God, and that what ^«. thought fitt was best, 
and to him resigu'd her soule. A poore creature that 
had been a great sinner, died in misserable paines, in 
exceeding terror ; God was gracious to her, she was 
patient, very devout, she was released in prayer. My 
mother dead, at first surprized, and very vnwilling; 
she was afterwards resign'd, received often, prayed 
much, had holy things read to her, delighted in hea- 
venly discourse, desired to be dissolv'd and be with 
Christ, ended her life chearfully, and without paine, 
left her family in order and was much lamented. 

" The D — dead, a princess, honoured in power, 
had much witt, much mony, much esteeme ; she was 
full of vnspeakable tortur, and died (poore creature) in 
doubt of her Religion, without the Sacrament, or divine 
by her, like a poore wretch ; none remembred her after 



THE LIFE OF 



one weeke, none sorry for her ; she was tost and flung 
about, and every one did what they would with that 
stately carcase. What is this world, what its great- 
ness, what to be esteemed, or thought a witt? Wee 
shall all be stript without sence or remembrance. But 
God, if wee serve him in our health, will give vs pa- 
tience in our Sickness." 

I repeate the instance as sett downe in her diarye, 
to shew how early she made these usefull and pious 
Recollections, for she must needs be then very young, 
and att an age att least when very few of her sex, and 
in her circumstances, much concerne themselves with 
these mortify eing reflections. Butt, as I have often 
heard her say, she loved to be att funeralls, and in the 
house of mourning, soe being of the most compassion- 
ate nature in the world, she was a constant visiter of 
the sick and of people in distress. But, to proceed ; 
she had not been above two yeares att Court before her 
virtue, beauty, and witt made her be looked vpon as a 
little miracle ; aud indeed there were some addresses 
made her of the greatest persons, not from the attract 
tion of affected Charmes, for she was ever, att that 
sprightfull and free age, severely carefull how she 
might give the least countenance to that liberty which 
the Gallants there doe vsually assume of talking with 
less reserve ; nor did this ecclipse her pretty humour, 
which was chearfull and easy amongst those she 
thought worthy her conversation. Itt is not to be de- 
scribed (for it was tho' naturall, in her inimitable) with 
what Grace, ready and solid vnderstanding, she would 
discourse. Nothing that she conceived could be better 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 



expressed, and when she was sometymes provok'd to 
Railly, there was nothing in the world so pleasant, and 
inoffensively diverting, (shall I say) or instructive ; for 
she ever mingl'd her freest entertainments with some- 
thing which tended to serious, and did it in such a 
manner, as allwayes left some impressions exterordnary 
even vpon those who came perhapps with inclinations 
to pervert the most harmeless conversations ; soe as it 
was impossible for any to introduce a syllable which 
did not comply with the strictest rules of decency. 

But I shall not be soe well able to describe what I 
should say upon this occasion, as by giveing your La- 
dyshipp the measures which she prescrib'd herselfe for 
the government of her Actions, when she was of duty 
to attend vpon her Majestye in publique, and when it 
was not only impossible, but vnbecomeing to entertaine 
those who composed the Royall Circle, and were per- 
sons of the most illustrious qualitye, without censure 
and rudeness. Behold then, Madam, what I find writ- 
ten in her owne hands againe, and that might be a 
coppy for all that succeed her in that honourable Sta- 
tion to transcribe and imitate it ; for she kept not onely 
a most acourate account of all her actions, butt did like- 
wise register her serious purposes and resolutions, the 
better to confirme and fix them, soe as they were not 
hasty fitts of zeale and sudden transports, butsollemne 
and deliberate ; and this I rather chuse to doe alsoe in 
her owne very words and method, innocent, naturall, 
and vn affected. 



10 THE LIFE OF 



" My life, by God's Grace, without which I can doe 
nothing. 
11 I must, till Lent, rise att halfe an houre after eight 
a clock ; whilst putting on morning cioathes, say the 
prayer for Death and the Te Deum : then presently to 
my prayers, and soe either dress my selfe or goe to 
Church prayers. In dressing, I must consider how lit- 
tle it signifyes to the saveing of my soule, and how 
foolish 'tis to be angry about a thing so unneces- 
sary. Consider what our Saviour suffered. — O Lord, 
assist me. 

u When I goe into the withdrawing roome, lett me 
consider what my calling is : to entertaine the Ladys, 
not to talke foolishly to Men, more especially the King ; 
lett me consider, if a Traytor be hatefull, she that be- 
trayes the soule of one is much worse ; — the danger, 
the sin of it. Then without pretending to witt, how 
quiet and pleasant a thing it is to be silent, or if I doe 
speake, that it be to the Glory of God. — Lord, as- 
sist me. 

" Att Church lett me mind in what place I am ; 
what about to ask, even the salvation of my soule ; to 
whome I speak, — to the God that made me, redeemed 
and sanctifyed me. and can yett cutt me off when he 
pleases. — O Lord, assist me. 

" When I goe to my Lady Falmouth s, I ought to 
take paines with her about her Religion, or else I am 
not her friend ; to shew example by calmness in dis- 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 11 



pute, in never speaking ill of anybody to her, butt ex- 
cuseing them rather. 

" Goe to the dueene allwayes att nine, and then 
read that place concerning the drawing roome, and 
lett my man waite for me to bring me word before pub- 
lique prayers begin. If I find she dynes late, come 
downe, pray and read, namely, that concerning pray- 
er; and think why I read, to benefitt my soule, pass 
my tyme well, and improve my understanding. — O 
Lord, assist me. 

" Be sure still to read that for the drawing roome in 
the privy chamber, or presence, or other place before 
prayers, and soe againe into the drawing room for an 
hour or soe ; and then slipp to my chamber and divert 
myself in reading some pretty booke, because the 
dueene does not require my waiteing ; after this to 
supper, which must not be much if I have dyned well ; 
and att neither meale to eate above two dishes, be- 
cause temperance is best both for soule and body ; then 
goe upp to the dueen, haveing before read, and well 
thought of what you have written. Amen. 

" Sett not up above halfe an hour after eleaven att 
most ; and as you undress, repeate that prayer againe ; 
butt before, consider that you are perhapps goeing to 
sleepe your last ; being in bedd repeate your hymne 
softly, ere you turne to sleepe. 

" If I awake in the night lett me say that (for which 
she had collected many excellent passages, as I find 
among her papers,) psalm. Lord, assist me. 



12 THE LIFE OF 



" In the morning, wakeing, use a short devotion 
and then as soone as ever you awake, rise imediately 
to praise him. The Lord assist me." 

In another place of the same Diarye, about which 
tyme I suppose there was some play to be acted by the 
maids of honour. — " Now as to pleasure, they are speak- 
ing of playes and laughing att devout people : well, I 
will laugh att myselfe for my impertinencyes, that by 
degrees I may come to wonder why any body does 
like me ; and divert the discourse ; and talke of God 
and morality e : avoid those people when I come into 
the drawing roome, especially among great persons to 
divert them ; because noe miliary allmost can be in- 
nocent : goe not to the Dutchess of Monmouth above 
once a week, except when wee dress to rehearse, and 
then carry a booke along with me to read when I don't 
act, and soe come away before supper. 

" Talke little when you are there ; if they speak of 
any body I can't commend, hold my peace, what jest 
soever they make ; be sure never to talk to the King ; 
when they speak filthyly, tho' I be laugh'd att, looke 
grave, remembring that of Micha, there will a tyme 
come when the Lord will bind up his Jewells. Never 
meddle with others business, nor hardly ask a ques- 
iion ; talk not slightly of religion. If you speake any 
thing they like, say 'tis borrowed, and be humble when 
commended. Before I speake, Lord, assist me ; when 
I pray, Lord, heare me ; when I am praised, God, hum- 
ble me ; may the clock, the candle, every thing I see, 
Lord cleanse my hands, lett my feete 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 13 



tread thy pathes. Is any body laughed att, say it may 
be my case ; is any in trouble, say, ' Lord, in justice I 
deserve it ; butt thou art all mercy ; make me thank- 
full.' On Festivall evens I resolve to dyne att home, 
and to repeat all the psalmes I know by heart," (of 
which she had almost the whole psalter,) " reserveing 
my reading or part of my prayers till night ; and supp 
with bread and beere only. 

" On Frydayes and Wednesdaies I'le eat nothing 
till after evening prayer ; and soe come downe as soon 
as ever the Q,ueene has dyned, without goeing to visitt, 
till my owne prayers are finished. 

" The same will I observe the day before I receive ; 
use to pray on those dayes by daylight ; and early on 
Sundayes, and think of no diversion till after evening 
prayer ; to dyne abroad as little as possible, but per- 
forme my constant duty to God and the Q,ueene. As- 
sist me, O Lord ; Amen. 

"Sing Psalmes now and then out of Sundayes. 
Endeavour tobegg with teares what you aske, and O 
lett them be, O Lord, my onely pleasure. There are 3 
Sundayes to come from this Saturday night ; pray one 
day earnestly to God for love, and against takeing his 
name in vaine, pray against intemperance and sen- 
suality ; and the other day for meekeness, and against 
envy ; another for fear and alliance, and against de- 
traction. 

" I have vowed, if it be possible, not to sett upp 
past ten o'clock ; therefore, before you engage in com- 



14 THE LIFE OF 



pany, goe downe and read this, and be as much alone 
as you can ; and when you are abroad talke to men 
as little as may be : carry your prayer booke in your 
pockettj or any thing that may decently keepe you from 
converseing with men." 

Behold what this blessed saint had promiscuously 
sett downe in her diary att severall tymes, as resolu- 
tions made upon severall occasions, all of them tending 
to the institution of her life in a course of exterordnary 
and early piety, for she was now very young, and I, 
therefore, give them your Ladyshipp in her ownc 
method, without method or studied connexion : nor 
are these the first I have seene of hers in this nature. 
She did upon several occurrences record her purposes, 
and what she soe resolved she punctually perform'd. 
Butt with what exterordnary caution she govern'd 
herself att Court ; how holy, innocent, instructive, and 
useful, her intire conversation was ; how much she 
improved in virtue, and made devotion the pleasure as 
well as imployment of her tyme, I need not tell your 
Ladyshipp : nor used she to trick and dress herselfe 
upp, tho' in soe splendid and vaine a theater, to the 
purposes of vanity, or to be fine and ador'd : she was 
extreamly shy of talking among the gallants and 
young men, to pass away the tediousness of attend- 
ance ; nor made she impertinent visitts ; for she had 
fill'd vp the whole day, and destin'd almost every mi- 
nute of it to exercise. When, therefore, I have sum'd 
vp all, and consider'd well how much of it all I have 
seene, and how with it all she preserved the lively and 
elegant conversation which rendered her soe infinitely 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 15 



agreeable to all that knew her, I cannot butt redouble 
my admiration and especially how often and sensible 
she has discoursed with me concerning the wonderful 
satisfaction she took in the dutyes of Religion. 

Butt here, before I proceed any further, the method 
of tyme, and other circumstances require me to say 
something how I came to be first acquainted with this 
excellent creature, and by what tyes of sacred friend- 
shipp I find my selfe soe highly obliged to celebrate 
her memory ; and this I shall doe the rather because 
the Lord has soe great a part in itt, that without in- 
gratitude, I may not pass it over ; nor is it without 
fresh delight that I still call to mind those innocent 
dayes, and the sweet conversation which fifteene yeares 
since wee enjoyed, that our familyes being neare to one 
another, gave us the happy ness to be knowne to the 
most obligeing neighbour in the world ; from soe long 
a date it is that my wife computes her first haveing had 
the blessing of beginning an acquaintance with Mrs. 
Blagge, whome your mother and sister sometimes 
kindly brought with them to our poore villa : butt few 
of those civilityes of casuall or respectfull visitts had 
passed, before my wife had discovered such exterord- 
nary charmes, markes of virtue and discretion in her 
conversation, that she would often reprove the diffi- 
dence I was wont to express, when they would some- 
tymes discourse of Piety and Religion, eminent among 
the Court Ladyes ; and upon which subject your Lady- 
shipp would frequently joine with my wife in conflict 
against me, to the reproach of my Moroseness, and In- 
fidelity, especially of a thing soe airy and soe gay as 



16 THE LIFE OF 



some represented this miracle to me. And in this Error 
I had certainly persisted, notwithstanding I had some- 
tymes taken notice of her, both att my house and att 
Church, to be a very agreeable Lady ; but that she 
or any body else in her Court circumstances, was 
principl'd with such a solid Virtue, and did cultivate it 
to that degree, I was brought to believe with soe much 
difficulty, that it was almost Seaven yeares before your 
Ladyshipp could convince me. You had, indeed, a 
Sister there, whose perfections would no longer suffer 
me to continue alltogeather in this false perswasion ; 
butt to believe there were many Saints in that Country 
I was not much inclined ; nor likely had chang'd that 
opinion, if an Imployment had not of necessity some- 
tymes obliged me to come from my Recess, when I as 
little affected to be knowne and to multiply acquaint- 
ance of that sex as another man. I minded my 
Bookes and my Garden, and the Circle was bigg 
enough for me. I aspVd to no offices, noe titles, noe 
favours att Court, and really was hardly knowne to 
those next neighbours of mine, whome I had lived all- 
most twenty years by : butt the Country where this 
Lady lived I had much more aversion to, for the rea- 
sons you may guess, and which made her quitt it as 
soone as she could. 'Twas, I say, about a year that 
she had sometymes beene att my house, when your 
Ladyshipp came to hector me out of my contracted 
humour, but I continually return'd to it ; and when, by 
Chance, you att any tyme nam'd her. I fancied her 
some airy thing, that had more Witt than Discretion ; 
till upon your Ladyshipp and my Wifes more severely 
reproaching me for being scarcely civill to a Companion 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 1 



of your excellent Sisters, for whome I had much es- 
teeme, (though but little acquainted,) 1 found my selfe 
oblig'd, in good manners, to waite upon her when I 
came to Whitehall. I speake of the Lady, your Sister, 
then Maid of Honour : for 1 would object, that there 
was a Witt with her whome I feared, and that I was 
the most unfitt person in the world for the entertain- 
ments of the Anti Chamber, and the little Spiritts that 
dwell in Fairy Land. You assured me she was hum- 
ble and Religious, and extreamly serious, and that [if] 
I would believe you, I should not be displeased with 
the adventure ; for tho' she had abundance of Witt, 
and rallied shrewdly, yett she was civil and discreete, 
and exterordnary obligeing. Vpon this, I made your 
Sister a visitt, and surprized Mrs. Blagge, who it seems 
that day was dressed for Audience and Ceremony, 
vpon which I would have withdrawne, butt her Cham- 
ber fellow staid me, and I was not vn willing to hear 
her talke : but I since came to understand, it was a 
clay of solemn devotion with her, and she excused her 
selfe, said little, and look'd very humble, which I 
liked, and soe for this tyme, tooke my leave. 

I concluded by this she might not be that pert Lady 
I had fancy ed ; and she afterwards spake curteously to 
me, casually meeting her in the house, and that she 
hoped she had not frighted me from her apartment. I 
came once or twice after this with my wife to visitt 
your Sister ; when this Lady keepeing her Chamber 
caused me one day to dyne with her, which I tooke 
kindly, because 'twas without affectation and with no 
danger of surfeiting. Butt her conversation was a treat, 



18 THE LIFE OF 



and I began to admire her temperance, and tooke espe- 
ciall notice, that however wide or indifferent the subject 
of our discourse was amongst the rest, she would all- 
wayes divert it to some Religious conclusion ; and soe 
temper and season her Replyes, as shew'd a gratious 
heart, and that she had a mind wholly taken vp with 
heavenly thoughts. 

After this introduction she conjur'd me not to baulk 
her holy Cell, and I was not a little pleased to be soe 
solemnly diverted and find my selfe mistaken, that soe 
young, soe elegant, soe charming a Witt and Beauty 
should preserve soe much Virtue in a place where it 
neither naturally grew nor much was cultivated ; for 
with all these perfections, Yivacitye and Apprehention 
beyond what I could expect, she seemed vnconcerned 
and steady, could endure to be serious, and gently re- 
prove my Morossness, and was greatly devout, which 
putt me out of all feare of her Railary, and made me 
vpon her with exterordnary respect. Thus every visitt 
abated of my prejudice : her discourses were not tri- 
fleing and effeminate, butt full of Virtue and materiall, 
and of a most tender regard to Religion. Butt itt was 
after your Ladyshipps Mother was gone into Lincoln- 
sheir, and had carryed away her companion, that she 
told me, " now Mrs. Howard is gone, she beleived she 
should have little of my Company; butt if I were not 
weary of her, and would be soe charitable, she should 
take it kindly that I came often to her." This was a 
Compliment you know I needed not, for by this tyme I 
was so well assured of her Inclinacion to Goodness, that 
she could not imagine me capable of neglecting a per- 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 19 



son from whose conversation I never return'd butt with 
advantage. I soone perceived what touched me to the 
heart, and that was her soule ; and how her Inclina- 
cions pointed to God ; that her discourses, designes, 
and actions tended allwayes thither : and other obser- 
vations which I made to my exterordnary wonder and 
admiracion. This Creature (would I say to my selfe) 
loves God ; 'tis a thousand pittyes butt she should per- 
sist ; what a new thing is this, I think Paulina and 
Eastochius are come from Bethlehem to Whitehall ; 
and from this moment I began to looke vpon her as sa- 
cred, and to bless God for the graces which shoone in 
her. I dayly prayed for her as she had enjoined me, 
and she began to open some of her holy thoughts to 
me ; and I saw a flagrant devotion, and that she had 
totally resigned herselfe to God ; and with these Incen- 
tiues, who, that had any sence of Religion, could for- 
beare to vallue her exceedingly ? 

Itt was not long after this, that being one day to 
visitt her, she seem'd to me more thoughtfull than ordi- 
nary. I asked her, what made her looke soe solemnly. 
She told me, she bad never a freind in the world. Noe, 
said I, that's impossible ; I beleive no body has more ; 
for all that know you must love you, and those that 
love you are continually your freinds. Butt I, who 
well knew where her heart att that tyme was, asked 
her what she esteemed a certaine Gentleman beyond 
the Seas. Alas, says she, he is very ill, and that makes 
me very much concerned ; butt I doe not speake to you 
of him, whome God will I hope be gratious to, but I 
would have a Freind. In that name is a great deale 



20 THE LIFE OF 



more then I can express, a faithfull freind, whome I 
might trust with all that I have, and God knows, that 
is butt little ; for him whome you meane does not care 
to meddle with my concerns, nor would I give him the 
trouble. This, to my remembrance, were her very ex- 
pressions to me. Madam, said I, doe you speake this 
to me, as if I were capable of serving you in any thing 
considerable ? I beleive you the person in the world 
(replyed she) who would make such a freind as I wish 
for, if I hadd meritt enough to deserve it. Madam, said 
I, consider well what you say, and what you doe, for it 
is such a trust, and soe great an obligation that you lay 
upon me, as I ought to embrace with all imaginable 
respect, and acknowledgment for the greatest honour 
you could doe me ; Madam, to be called your freind 
were the most desirable in the word, and. I am sure I 
should endeavour to acquitt me of the duty with great 
chearfullness and fidelity. Pray leave your compli- 
menting, (said she smileing) and be my freind then, 
and looke upon me henceforth as your Child. To this 
purpose was her obligeing reply ; and there standing 
pen and ink vpon the table, in which I had been draw- 
ing something upon a paper like an Alter, she writt 
these words : Be this the Symboll of Inviolable Freind- 
ship, — Mary Blagge, 16th October, 1672, and vnder- 

neath, For my brother E ; and soe delivered it to 

me with a smile. Well, said I, Madam, this is an high 
obligation, and you have allready paid me for the great- 
est service that I can ever pretend to doe you ; butt yett 
doe you know what you have done? Yes, sayes she, 
very well ; butt pray what doe you meane ? Why, 
said I, the title that has consecrated this Alter is the 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 



21 



Marriage of Souls, and the Golden thread that tyes the 
hearts of all the world ; I tell you, Madam, Freindshipp 
is beyond all relations of flesh and blood, because it is 
less materiall ; there is nature in that of parents and 
kindred, butt [that of] Freindshipp is of course and 
without election, for which the Conjugall State it selfe 
is not alwayes the most happy : and, therefore, those 
who have had best experience chuse their freind out of 
all these circumstances, and have found him more last- 
ing, and more efTectuall. By this Symboll you give me 
title to all that you can with Honour and Religion part 
with in this world ; and it is a topic I could adorne with 
glorious examples of what I speak ; and the noblest 
things have been said vpon it ; and the Laws and 
Measures of Freindshipp are the nicest and the most 
obligeing ; — but you know them all. Well, replyed 
she, smileing, be it soe, — pray what am I to doe ? 
Nay, said I, I'll tell you first what you are to suffer. 

The priviledges I claime (in virtue of that charac- 
ter) are that I may visitt you without being thought 
importunate ; that I may now and then write to you to 
cultivate my Stile ; discourse with you to improve my 
Vnderstanding ; read to you to receive your Reflec- 
tions ; and that you freely command me vpon all occa- 
sions without any reserve whatsoever : you are to write 
to me when I am absent ; mention me in all your pray- 
ers to God, to admonish me of all my failings, to visitt 
me in sickness, to take care of me when I am in dis- 
tress, and never to forsake me, change or lessen your 
particular esteeme, till I prove vnconstant or perfidious, 
and no mans freind : in a word, there is in Freindshipp 



22 THE LIFE OF 



something of all relations, and something above them 
all. These, Madam, are the Laws, and they are recip- 
rocal 1 and eternal 1, &c. 

Thus, for a tyme, 'twixt jest and earnest, the con- 
versation putt her into the most agreeable humor in the 
world. Well, said she, I will consider of what you 
say ; butt pray remember you be my freind, and when 
next you come, I will tell you what I have for you to 
doe in good earnest ; and a little after writt me this 
Letter. 

" My Freind, 
"I have considered and minded well what was 
said, and what I writt, and will not recall it. I vnder- 
stood something of the office of freindshipp before I knew 
you, butt after what you have said and offered, I beleive 
I shall need little Instruction. Gratitude, join'd with 
the greatest esteeme I had before of you, will require all 
that you mention on my part : you are then, my first 
freind, the first that ever I had, and ever shall you be 
soe. This is trueth vpon the word of a Christian ; and 
I beleive I shall not lay downe my resolution of con- 
tinueing yours butt with my life. I thankfully accept 
all your Councell, and will endeavour to follow it ; butt 
birds themselves have all way es the good nature to teach 
their young ones, and soe must you ; looke vpon me 
then as your child as well as freind, and love me as 
your child, and, if you will, call me soe. What Mea- 
sures you are to observe I meddle not with ; for a 
freind may doe what he pleases ; they who give mo- 
ny, give all ; 'tis a saying of your owne as to Charity, 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 23 



they that are freinds are all things, — lett that be myne. 
Butt as for the returnes for the good offices I receive, 
I beleive my advice can be of little vso to you, vnless 
to serve you as an Act of humility, which must be all 
the reason you will ever have to require it ; what shall 
I say then more ? till death reckon me your freind ; you 
see how I think I am with you ; and now, after all this, 
I may grow old or forgettfull, and Melancholy or Stu- 
pid, and in that Case, will no more answer for my selfe 
then for a Stranger ; butt, whilst I am my selfe and a 
Christian, I will be yours." 

Itt would be an vnpardonable ostentation in me, 
and a great temptation to over vallue my selfe, and the 
poore services she was pleased to accept of, should I 
here repeate what she has left me vnder her own hand 
vpon this subject, in the most pious and endearing ex- 
pressions that could possibly fall from the most sincere 
and obligeing Creature in the world : butt to lett them 
pass, — 'tis certaine, that from this moment, I no more 
look'd vpon her as Mrs. Blagge, butt as my child in- 
deed, and did, to the vttmost of my poore abilitye, 
advice and serve her in all her secular and no few 
spirituall affaires and concerns, with a diligence and 
fidelity becomeing the trust and confidence she reposed 
in me, as an honour to be envyed by the best of men : 
her friendshipp after this was soe transcendently sin- 
cere, noble, and Religious, as taught me all its demean- 
sions, beyond any thing I ever read of its highest Ideas ; 
and she herselfe was heard to say, what she once 
thought to be a name onely and nothing else, she found 
a reall existance ; and that freindshipp was for mutuall 



24 THE LIFE OF 



Improvement, and to fortifye every virtue ; and, indeed, 
she was able to direct, and Counceil, and encourage, 
and Comfort. Nay, and has often told me with be- 
comeing passion, That she with Joy could dye fbr a 
friend ; vrgeing that sentence of St. Pauls, nor are the 
measures hard ; I am sure willingly would I have done 
it for her : O sweete, O how desireable ! And, indeed, 
these holy transports made the Christians communicate 
all they had ; the apostles speake of some who would 
have pluck'd out their very eyes and laid downe their 
necks for him, and called nothing their owne which 
others wanted. 'Tis this which made those saints of 
one mind and of one heart ; 'tis this has Crown'd a 
hundred thousand martyrs, and shewed vs that the 
most consumate friendshipps are the products of Re- 
ligion and the love of God. There are Inumerable 
expressions of this nature to be found in her letters to 
me, which are Charming, and indeed, soe tender and 
personall, that, tho' one (who) knew my demeritts as 
well as I my selfe doe, would suspect their sincerity ; 
yett I knew to be from her heart, which was full of 
most generous resentments. In a word, I may say, as 
David did of Jonathan, her friendshipp to me was 
passing the love of women ; nor verily, was it without 
an intire sympathy e on my part ; and there was provi- 
dence in itt, as well as inclination for the exceeding 
and most eminent piety and goodness that ever conse- 
crated a worthy friendshipp, shone soe bright in this 
blessed saint 3 as intitled her to all the services, respect, 
and veneration I was capable of giveing her. 

Never am I to forgett this Golden expression of hers 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. Q5 



to me. I would have (sayes she) nothing that passes 
betweene vs have any Resemblance of friendshipp that 
doe not. last. Butt, Madam, whither has this Indearing 
topic transported me. 

After this solemn engagement then, she soone ac- 
quainted me with many of her concerns ; made me 
the depositarie of her pious thoughts and resolutions, 
and putt her whole fortune intirely into my hands ; 
which, indeed, lay in some danger for want of that 
assistance, which she might have had from an able 
person, tho' from none more faithfull and more Indus- 
trious to Improve it to the best of my capacity ; I was 
only griev'd, when att any tyme she thought it a trouble 
to me ; butt she would say : I am your Child, and 
whither should I goe butt to you ; never will I doe any 
thing without you whilst I live : more difference and 
humility could she not have paid to a father; more 
confidence in a friend ; and this temper'd with that 
sweetness and exterordnary piety, that I am not able 
to support the consideration of the loss of such a friend- 
shipp without vnspeakable griefe. 

S el dome or rarely came I to waite on her, (if she 
were not in company) but I found her in her little 
oratorie, and some tymes all in feares, for never was 
Creature more devout and tender ; and a thousand 
Cases and questions would she propound to me, for 
which I would still referr her to that Reverend and 
learn'd divine, with whome she did constantly corres- 
pond vpon all occasions of spiritual! advice ; soe care- 
full and curious was this saint in the concernments of 

3 



26 THE LIFE OF 



her soule ; butt she would often tell me, he was too 
gentle, and, therefore, required of me to deale Impar- 
tially; [that] 1 was her friend, and that a friend was 
Ghostly father, and every thing to her ; indeed I would 
often reprove her tiresome methods and thought to plant 
the consideracion of the memory and love of God in 
her thoughts ; and to cure her of the sad and frieght- 
full apprehensions she sometymes seemed to have, that 
God was a severe exacter ; that she had never done 
enough, and served an austere Master, not to be pleased 
without abundance of labour and formes without end ; 
and for this she would frequently give me thanks, that 
I had lett her see and tast more of the love of God and 
delices of Religion, than ever she had before. And 
veryly this holy and Religious temper of hers, was 
enough to winn the esteeme of all that had any sence 
of goodness. Nor was her tyme wholly spent in the 
contemplative part of piety ; she was always doeing 
some good offices for one or other, gave frequent and 
considerable reliefe to poore and indigent people, and 
not seldome made me her almoner, and the hand to 
convey it where she could not well her selfe ; but of 
this and the many visitts she in her owne person made 
(delicate as she was) to refresh and comfort the sick 
and miserable, even amongst the most wretchedly 
poore, nott without great inconveniency to her health. 
I shall give account hereafter : butt hitherto was she 
advanc'd, being yett hardly enterd her Nineteenth 
yeare, an age that few in her circumstances soe soone 
sett out att, and [would] that I begun as early and as 
early finish'd, 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 27 



Wee will now then looke vpon her as att White- 
hall, whither she came from St. James to waite vpon 
her Majestye, after the death of the Dutchess, when 
she was not above sixteene. I had not then indeed 
the honour to know her ; hutt I have heard from others, 
that her beauty and her witt was so exterordnary im- 
proved, as there had nothing been seene more surprize- 
ing, and full of charmes ; every body was in love with, 
and some allmost dyeing for her, whilst with all the 
Modesty and Circumspection imaginable, she strove to 
Eclipse the luster which she gave ; and would often 
check the vivacity which was naturall, and perfectly 
became her, for feare of giveing occasion to those who 
lay in waite to deceive. Butt it was not possible here 
to make the least approach, butt such as was full of 
Honour ; and the distance she observed, and Caution 
and Judgment she was mistress of, protected her from 
all impertinent addresses, till she had made a Choice, 
without Reproach, and worthy her Esteeme, namely, 
of that excellent Person, who was afterwards her Hus- 
band, after a passion of no less than Nine long yeares, 
that they both had been the most intire and faithfull 
lovers in the world. This was a space indeed of suf- 
ficient probation, nor will I presume to dive into the 
circumstances which made them be soe long resolveing, 
she being then it seems butt very young, and both of a 
temper soe extreamly discreete. Butt as to the first 
Impressions, I will relate to your Ladyshipp what 1 
have learn'd from her selfe, when sometymes she was 
pleased to trust me with diverse passages of her Life. 
For it was not possible I could hear of soe long an 
Amour, soe honorable a love and constant passion, and 



28 THE LIFE OF 



which I easily perceived concerned her, as lookeing 
vpon herselfe vnsettled, and one who had long since 
resolved nott to make the Court her rest, butt I must be 
touched with some Care for her. I would now and 
then kindly chide her, why she suffer'd those languish- 
ments, when I knew not on whome to lay the blame* 
For tho' she would industriously conceale her disquiett, 
and divert it vnder the notion of the Spleene, she could 
not but acknowledge to me where the dart was fix'd ; 
nor was any thing more ingenious then what she now 
writt me vpon this Subject, by which your Ladyshipp 
will perceive, as with what peculiar confidence she was 
pleased to honour me, soe, with what early prudence 
and great pietye she manag'd the passion, which, of 
all other, young people are comonly the most precipi- 
tate in and unadvis'd. 

11 1 came," sayes she, " soe young, as I tell you, into 
the world (that is, about 14 yeares of Age,) where no 
sooner was I entred, butt various opinions were deliv- 
ered of me and the person whome (you know,) was more 
favourable then the rest were to me, and did, after 
some tyme, declare it to me. The first thing which 
tempts young weomen is vanity, and I made that my 
great designe. Butt Love soone taught me another 
Lesson, and I found the trouble of being tyed to the 
hearing of any save him ; which made made me 
resolve that either he or none should have the posses- 
sion of your Friend. Being thus soone sencible of 
Love my selfe, I was easily perswaded to keepe my 
selfe from giving him any cause of Jealousye, and in 
soe long a tyme never has there been the least. 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 29 



C( This, vnder God's providence, has been the 
means of presenting me from many of those misfor- 
tunes young Creatures meet with in the world, and in 
a Court espetially. Att first wee thought of nothing 
but liveing alwayes togeather, and that wee should be 
happy. Butt att last he was sent abroad by his Ma- 
jestye, and fell sick, which gave me great trouble ; and 
I allow'd more tyme for Prayer and the performance of 
holy dutyes than before I had ever done, and I thank 
God, found infinite pleasure in it, farr beyond any 
other, and I thought less of foolish things that vsed to 
take vp my tyme. Being thus changed my selfe, and 
likeing it soe well, I earnestly begg'd of God that he 
would impart the same satisfaction to him I loved ; 
'tis done, (my friend) 'tis done, and from my soulel am 
thankfull ; and tho' I beleive he loves me passionately, 
yett I am not where I was : my place is fiil'd vpp with 
HIM who is all in all. I find in him none of that tor- 
menting passion to which I need sacrefice my selfe ; 
butt still were wee dissengag'd from the world, wee 
should marry vnder such restraints as were fitt. and by 
the agreeableness of our humour, make each other 
happy. Butt att present there are obstructions : he 
must be perpetually engaged in buissness, and follow 
the Court, and live all waves in the world, and soe 
have less tyme for the service of God, which is a sens- 
cible affliction to him ; wherefore, wee are not deter- 
mined to precipitate that matter, butt to expect a while, 
and see how things will goe ; haveing a great mind to 
be togeather, which cannot with decency be done with- 
out marrying, nor, to either of our satisfactions, without 
being free from the world. In short, serving of God is 



30 THE LIFE OF 



our end, and if wee cannott do that quietly togeather 
wee will asunder. You know our Saviour saves, that 
all could not receive that doctrine, but to those who 
could, he gave noe contradiction ; and if wee can butt 
pass our younger yeares, 'tis not likely wee should be 
concern'd for marrying when old. If wee could marry 
now, I don't see butt those inconveniencys may happen 
by sickness, or absence, or death. In a word, if we 
marry, it will be to serve God and to encourage one 
another dayly ; if wee doe not, 'tis for that end too ; 
and wee know God will direct those who sincerely 
desire his love above all other Considerations ; now 
should wee both resolve to continue as we are, be 
assur'd, I should be as little Idle as if I were a wife. I 
should attend to prayer and all other Christian dutyes, 
and make these my pleasures, seeing I chuse not the 
condition out of restraint and singularity, but to serve 
God the better." 

This being in answer to something I had written 
to her vpon a serious debate, in which I had opposed 
a melancholy Resolution, she would now and then 
entertaine me with, of absolutely renouncing the 
thoughts of Marriage and wholly retireing in the world, 
I give you [it] in her owne Style and holy thoughts, as 
an Instance of that early piety and prudentiall weigh- 
ing of things and circumstances, which accompanied 
all her actions ; nor could I have presented your Lady- 
shipp with a more Illustrious part of her history nor 
more instructive. 

In good earnest, this purpose of wholly vacateing to 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 31 



Religion, was att this tyme soe imprinted in her, that 
whether she marryed or remained single, resolv'd she 
was to depart the Court. She had frequently told me, 
that Seaven yeares was enough and too much, to trifle 
any longer there : and, accordingly, one day that I 
least dream't of it, she came expressly to my lodgeing 
and accquainted me with her Intention to goe [and] 
live att Berkley House, and that if she did alter her 
condition by Marriage, it should be when she was 
perfectly free, and had essayed how her detachment 
from Royall servitude would comport with her before 
she determin'd concerning another change. I happen'd 
to be with her in the Queens withdrawing roome, 
when a day or two after, finding her oppertunity, and 
that there was less company, she begg'd leave of their 
Majestyes to retire ; never shall I forgett the humble 
and becomeing address she made, nor the Joy that 
discover'd its selfe in this Angells countenance, above 
any thing I had ever observed of transport in her, 
when she had obtained her suite ; for, I must tell you, 
Madam, she had made some attempts before without 
success, which gave her much anxietie. Their Majes- 
tyes were both vnwilling to part with such a Jewell ; 
and I confess, from that tyme, I look'd vpon White 
Hall with pitty, not to say Contempt. What will 
become said I, of Corinthus, the Citty of Luxury, 
when the graces have abandon'd it, whose piety and 
example is soe highly necessary? Astrsea soe left the 
Lower world. And for my part, I never sett my foote 
in it afterwards, butt as ent'ring into a solitude, and 
was ready to cry out with the wife of Phi'neas, that its 
glory was departed. She tooke, I assure you, her 



32 THE LIFE OF 



leave of their Majestyes with soe much modesty and 
good a Grace, that tho' they look't as if they would 
have a little reproach't her for makeing so much hast, 
they could not find in their hearts to say an vnkind 
word to her ; butt there was for all that I am cei taine 
something att the heart like griefe ; and I leave you, 
Madam, to imagine how the rest of the Court mourn'd 
this Recess, and how dim the tapers burnt as she pass'd 
the anti-chamber. ' Is Mrs. Blagge goeing,' says a 
faire creature ; ' why stay I here any longer V others, 
' that the Court had never such a Starr in all its hemi- 
spheere ; and veryly, I had not observed soe vniversall 
a damp vpon the spiritts of every one that knew her. 
Itt was, I remember, on a Sunday night, after most of 
the company were departed, that I waited on her 
downe to her Chamber, where she was noe sooner en- 
ter'd, butt falling on her knees, she blessed God as for 
a Signall deliverance ; she was come out of Egypt, and 
now in the way to the Land of Promise. You will 
easyly figure to your selfe how buissy the young Saint 
was the next morning in makeing vpp her little car- 
riage to quitt her prison : and when you have fancied 
the Conflagration of a certaine Citty the Scripture 
speaks of, imagine this Lady trussing vpp her little 
fardle, like the two daughters whom the angell hastned 
and conducted ; but the similitude goes no further, for 
this holy Virgin went to Zoar, they to the cave of Folly 
and Intemperance ; there was no danger of her looke- 
ing back and becomeing a Statue for sorrow of what 
she left behind. All her household stuffe besides a 
Bible and a bundle of Prayer bookes, was packed vpp 
in a very little Compass, for she lived soe farr from su- 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 33 



perfluitye, that she carryed all that was vallueable in 
her person ; and tho' she had a Courtly wardrobe, she 
affected it not, because every thing became her that she 
putt on, and she became every thing was putt vpon her. 

She tooke her leave of the mother of the Maids as 
became her ; butt she could not weepe till your Lady- 
shipps sister, whome she was still to leave in Captivitye 
fell on her neck, and then there fell mutuall tears, that 
trickled down her Cheeks like the dew of Flowers, and 
made a lovely griefe ; to her and to your Ladyshipp 
she left her pretty Oratorye, soe often consecrated with 
her prayers and devotions, as to the only successors 
of her Virtues and Piety ; and as I am perswaded 
that the Court was every day less sensible of its losse 
whilst you both continued in it, because you trode in 
this Religious Ladys Stepps, soe the piety it any where 
still retaines is accountable to your rare examples ; of 
such Importance is one Religious Person to a whole 
Society, and sometymes to a Nation. 

Butt to returne to her remove from Court. 1 am the 
more particular as haveing had the honour to waite on 
her to Berkley House ; I tell your Ladyshipp. I never 
beheld her more orient than she appeared att this tyme, 
and the moment she sett foote in the Coach her eyes 
sparkled with Joy, and a marvelous lustre ; the Roses 
of her Cheeks were soe fresh, and her countenance soe 
gay, as if with the rest of her perfections (had she not 
left your two Sisters there) she had carded all the 
Beautyes as well as all the Virtue of the Court away 
with her too. Butt ah, had you seen with what effu- 

3* 



34 THE LIFE OF 



sion and open armes she entred Berkley House, and 
sprung into the Caresses of my Lady, in what a trice 
after she was ledd vp into her apartmentt she had putt 
all her Equipage in order, rang'd her Library, and dis- 
posed of her Compendious Inventory, you would have 
said there was nothing prettyer then that buissy mo- 
ment. And now when she had consecrated her new 
Oratorye with a devout Aspiration and the Incense of 
an humble Soule, for the blessings of this sweete Retire- 
ment, she satt down and admired her sweete felicitye. 
For, as I told your Ladyshipp, 'twas not altogeather 
that she might be disengaged from Court that she de- 
signed to quitt itt ; butt that she might vacate more to 
stricter duty. She believed that att Berkley House she 
should be more att her owne disposall ; that she should 
have noe body to observe butt God ; be mistress of her 
houres, and governe her affaires suitable to her devout 
Inclinations : and when she seriously requir'd my 
opinion of it, I could not disapprove it. Itt brought to 
mind how in the declension of the Empire, and when 
the sinns and vices of a licentious and abandoned age 
had allarm'd the Roman world with a barbarous and 
vniversall warr, like what was now vpon the scene of 
Europe, that Paula and her daughter Eustochiura, (two 
rich and beautifull Ladys) quitted the splendor of a 
pompous Court for the Recesses of Bethlehem and the 
Solitudes of Judea. and to prostrate themselves att the 
manger of a divine babe, and then att the foote of Cal- 
varye, where this holy Mother and beautious Daughter 
spent the rest of their days in the recollection of their 
lives and the service of Jesus : me-thought nothing 
more ever resembled this Act of those Devotas than the 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 35 



heroick resolution of our Saint ; in this yett superior to 
theirs, as hers was spontaneous, theirs by the importu- 
nityes of St. Hierome ; abandoning the Royall Circle, 
where she made vp the constellacions, for a Circle of 
reall Starrs, and to stand before the throne of the Lamb ; 
she deserts the glittering Balls, and goes no more to the 
Theater, that she may sing in the quire of Seraphins, 
and contemplate the celestiall vision ; she cares not for 
the Sumptuous Entertainments, the Musick, Masking, 
and perfumes, to mortify her sences, and enjoy intel- 
lectual pleasures ; she neglects the gay and studious 
Dress, the Raillery and reputation of a Witt, which 
made her the life of Conversation and the pretty miracle 
of Court, that she may adorne her bright Soule, and 
converse with Angells ; she chuses rather to suffer 
diminution, and the censure of men as precise and sin- 
gular ; to be a reall Maid of Honour, then to have the 
name, and live in the scene of Temptation and the 
pleasures of Sinn for a season : in a word, I fancied 
her call'd, as was Abraham out of Vr of the Chaldees 
and from the Idolls of Haran. 

Butt as nothing on this side heaven is permanent 
long, she had not been in this Irnaginarye and indeed 
sweete retirement, and where tho' one of the most mag- 
nificent pallaces of the Towne, she had her apartment 
remote from the buissy part of the house, and was rarely 
fitted for her purposes of devotion ; I say, it was not 
long, when partly from the necessity of Complyance 
with the Lady of the family, thecontinuall and impor- 
tune visitts of the great persons which vs'd to frequent 
that place, obligeing her to tedious Cerimony and con- 



36 THE LIFE OF 



versation that often interrupted her Course, and partly 
(from) other circumstances, which for the present 
seemed less favourable to their Intentions of marriage 
soe soone, and the disquiett it putt her to, she not only 
deliberated in good earnest, butt resum'd her former In- 
clination with more resolution than ever, of removeing 
farther from these Impediments and all togeather aban- 
doning the world. I have really been touch'd in the 
deepest sence to see the Conflicts this devout Creature 
vnderwent, betweene her love and her devotion ; or 
shall I call them both her love ; for soe they were : a 
thousand times has she told me she would abide as she 
was, and then her pitty for him who could not live in 
her absence, divided her afresh, and peirc'd her to the 
soule ; and when she was in the deepest of this Con- 
cerne for him, nothing I have ever read in the Epistles 
of Seneca, had that excellent Stoick been indeed a 
Christian, appear'd more divinely philosophicall than 
the Topics she would vse to divert his passion, and 
reason him into an indifference for her, when (of all 
things in the world.) it was not indifferent to her that 
he should have lov'd her less. Butt she had really that 
absolute Empire over her owne affections, and such po- 
tent Inclinations to make God and Religion the buissness 
of her life, that as I said, she was many times vpon the 
Brink of Resolveing to abandon all the world : she be- 
leived that I who knew love to be stronger than death, 
would never approve of this resolution; and, therefore, 
she pretended att first, only to make a visitt to her sister 
the Lady Yarbrough, in Yorksheir, for a month or two 
dureing the summer ; butt after that she could not con- 
ceale from me a further designe of goeing from thence 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 37 



to Hereford, to live by herselfe voder the direction of 
the Reverend Deane of that Cathedrall, who had long 
been her spirituall father. This was the Zoare she 
often languished after, vseing that of Righteous Lott, 
" Is it not a little one, and my sonle shall live." " Yes, 
my friend," says she, " in perfect liberty without formes ; 
frugally, without Contempt ; conveniently, without 
pomp ; att distance from the Bustle of the world, where 
I shall forgett and be forgotten, be arbitress of my tyme, 
and serve God regularly ; chuse my Conversation, and 
when I alter my Condition, doe it with your advice ; 
which I am snre will never be to alter a purpose soe 
reasonable, and soe fit for one in my Circumstances." 
Thus would this blessed Creature discourse it with me, 
whilst in the meane tyme she was ballanceing in her- 
selfe when it came to a Resolution. " The Lord help 
me, dear freind," sayes she to me, in another Letter, " I 
know not what to determine ; sometymes I think one 
thing, sometymes another ; one day I fancy noe life 
soe pure as the vnmarryed, another day I think it less 
exemplarye, and that the marryed life has more oppor- 
tunity of exerciseing Charity ; and then againe, that 
'tis full of solicitude and worldlyness, soe as what I 
shall doe, I know not. He can live without a wife wil- 
lingly, but without me he is vnwilling to live, soe as if 
I doe not marry he is not in danger of sinn ; but if I 
or he or both should repent, O Lord and Governor of 
my life, leave me not to my selfe,to the Counsellof my 
whole heart, butt send me wisdome from thy throne to 
direct, assist, and lead me soberly in my doeings. . Thou 
hast imparted to us reason for our guide ; butt O rule 
thou that reason, for without thou Conduct it I shall be 



38 THE LIFE OF 



in perpetual 1 hazard. Lord, J renounce all Judgment, 
all knowledge, and discretion of my owne ; I desire 
not to be a Child of this world, wise in their Genera- 
tion, butt to be a Foole that I may indeed be wise. I 
am in a straight and know not what to chuse, deter- 
mine thou for me, O blessed Lord. Remember that for 
near these one and twenty yeares I have been thy care, 
and I bless the for it. Thou hast frequently and won- 
derfully preserv'd me, both in spirituall and temporali 
dangers, and over and above has done Innumerable 
good things for me ; O leave me not now in this diffi- 
culty, butt once more be thou my Councellor, and 
whilst I live will I be thy faithful], thankfull, servant. 
Say, Amen with me, dear freind." 

Behold Madam, the Letter, or rather the ejaculation 
which an heart intirely possess'd with Religious Senti- 
ments, made her dictate on this occasion ; nor should I 
have produc'd these particulars (con-credited to me in 
spetiall Confidence) butt to lett you see, with how holy 
a designe and consideracion she proceeded ; and how 
Infinitely different from the method of makeing love 
and receiveing addresses now a dayes. Veryly, when I 
reflect vpon her youth, beauty, witt, the temptations 
and conflicts she sustain'd, to comply with the affection 
she had for her two Rivall loves (for soe I againe call 
them) I am halfe astonish'd, butt you shall hear how 
passionately she describes it, and thus goes on. 

" Much afflicted and in great agony was your poor 
friend this day, to think of the love of the holy Jesus, 
and yett be soe little able to make him any returne. 
For with what favour have I protested against all af- 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 39 



fection to the things of this world ; resign'd them all 
without exception ; when the first moment I am tryed, 
I shrink away, and am passionately fond of the Crea- 
ture, and forgetfull of the Creator. This, when I con- 
sider'd, I fell on my knees, and with many teares, 
begg'd of God to assist me with his Grace, and banish 
from me all Concerne butt that of heavenly things, and 
wholly to possess my heart himselfe ; and either releive 
me in this Conflict, now soe long sustain'd, or continue 
to me Strength to resist it, still fearing if the combate 
cease not in tyme, I should repine for being putt vpon 
soe hard a dutye. Butt then againe, when I call to 
mind the Grace of Selfe denyall, the honour of suffer- 
ing for my Saviour, the Reward propos'd for those that 
conquer, the delight I shall conceive in seeing and en- 
joying him ; the happyness of the life above ; I that am 
thus feeble, thus fearfull, call, (out of exercise of his 
Grace,) yea, for tribulation, for persecution, for contra- 
dictions to my own desires, and for every thing agree- 
able to the Spiritt and displeasing to the flesh. Thus, 
with St. Paul, when I am weake then am I strong ; 
when I am in sorrow then am I rejoiceing ; one whome 
I love is here, butt I am gott to other Company, and 
well have I been regaPd, for God has been very gratious 
to me ; most bitterly have I wept to think how much 
of my heart he has, how little my blessed Saviour, who 
has loved and suffered for me soe much more ; happy, 
ah happy, are you my friend, that are past that mighty 
love to the Creature. Butt I make this my humble 
confession to God and you, bewayleing my loveing any 
thing butt himself; imploreing him to translate my af- 
fections, and place them on him alone. Thus to you 



40 THE LIFE OF 



doe I display my griefe, I can leave him whome here I 
love, to goe to my Jesus for ever ; butt I Confess 'tis 
hard for me to leave him now soe often as I doe, and 
this breaks my heart, that after soe many solemn pro- 
fessions to God, what I would doe for him, I should 
with such reluctancy part from this person, to pray, and 
to read, and to goe to holy dutyes. 

" Now, dear friend, should I marry, and refuse to 
goe to my Lord, part vnwillingly, or refuse him, what 
would become of me ? No, No, I will remaine my Sa- 
viours ; he shall be my love, my husband, my all ; I 
will keepe my Virgin, present it vnto Christ, and not 
putt myselfe into the temptation of loveing any thing in 
Competition with my God." 

Thus farr this devout and tender Creature : nor this 
the last wherein she has conjurd me to advise what 
she should resolve on, when often her heart as I said, 
has been divided betweene her lovers, as was St. Pauls 
in another case, even wishing to be dissolved, that she 
might be with Christ, and freed from all this solicitude, 
as she has frequently express'd it to me. And now 
what was I to returne ? truely I was myselfe also some- 
tymes divided in my thoughts. She had perpetuall 
Inclinations to retire from all the world, espetially ap- 
prehending that by any secular circumstances, she 
might possibly remaine in a doubtful condition, and the 
resolution was once soe strongly fix'd, that with noe 
small difficulty I opposed it. Being soe fully perswa- 
ded as I was, that they would be exceeding blessings 
to one another, rare examples of the conjugall state, 
and that nothing could hinder the pursuite of an holy 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 41 



life and the love of God, soe much as this pendulous 
and vncertaine condition, whilst marriage she would 
find compose her devout spiritt, and improve it, I told 
her, she was not free, as I conceiv'd, to resolve soe pe- 
remptorylye ; that it was to doe violence to one whome 
she acknowledg'd could not live without her ; nay, 
that if to comply with her, he putt constraint vpon him- 
selfe, she should not doe well, since his Action in this 
Case ought to be as free as her owne ; and that she 
should doe a much nobler and [more] self denying 
thing, to preferr the satisfaction of soe worthy a Crea- 
ture before her owne. I consented to all her Eiogies 
of the Virgin State, butt that there were no less due to 
the Conjugall ; and that if there were some temptations 
in it, her meritts would be the greater, and the exercise 
of her virtue ; Circled indeed it was with some tollera- 
ble thorns, butt rewarded with illustrious Coronetts for 
the good it produc'd ; that as to the oppert unity es of 
serveing God, an active life was preferrable to the Con- 
templative : and that I should not doubt to see as many 
Crown'd in heaven who had been marryed, as of Vir- 
gins : since from Marriage all the Virgins in the world 
had their orriginall, and all the Saints that ever were 
or ever shall be ; that it was the Seminary of the 
Church and care of Angells ; and that [though] our 
beloved [Lord] were borne of a Virgin, she was yett 
vaiPd vnder the Cover of Marriage ; and soe when St. 
Paul exalted the Celibate above it, for the advantages 
he enumerates, itt was nott to derogate from Marriage, 
butt because of the present distress and the Impediments 
of a family to an Itinerant and Persecuted Apostle, and 
those who in that Conjuncture had noe certaine aboade. 



42 THE LIFE OF 



That as to the perfection and puritye of the State, 'twas 
one thing to be marryed to a Man, and another to a 
Husband ; to the first indeed, most of the world were 
joined, to the second, none butt the Religious. That 
as 'twas Instituted in Paradise, and dignifyed by our 
blessed Saviours presence ; compared to the most inti- 
mate Indearements of Christ to his Church, 'twas often 
blessed with exterordnary prosperity even in this 
world. That the fidelity, society, mutuall affection, 
and instance of religious Marriages, the regularity of 
their Charitye, and hospitality of their familyes, was 
Emulous of the highest pretences of the Virgin and 
more solitary Condition. Doe you (would I say) es- 
teeme it noe honour to have given Saints to the Church, 
and usefull members to the State in which you live ; 
and that you can be hospitable to strangers, institute 
your Children, give instruction to your servants, exam- 
ple to the neighbours, and be the parent of a thousand 
other blessings. I remembered her of what someiymes 
she would say, that if she marryed and had noe Child- 
ren, she should be displeased ; and if she had, she 
might have either too many, or too wicked and vnto- 
ward ; this, I told her, was to distrust Gods providence, 
and she did not well to make those reflections ; when 
in all events there was exercise of faith, and patience, 
Industry, and other graces ; and that she would not be 
happy vnless shee was alone, not considering that the 
few may be as well fooles, as vitious, — which is worse ; 
and that one of the many may recompence all her care 
for the rest ; that if she who bare her had been of that 
mind, there would have been one less Saint to Glorifye 
God ; that I should have wanted an excellent friend, 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 43 



and soe would many others, who now bless'd God for 
the Charityes she did them. Vpon all these Topycs I 
challeng'd her humility, her faith, and her love. I laid 
before her how much more affected, morose, covetous, 
obnoxious to temptation and reproach an old Maid 
would be, who was knowne to have engaged her af- 
fection allready, than one who had never entertain'd 
an address. Then the trouble and sorrow of bringing 
forth and expenee of a family, would att another tyme 
affreight her ; little woemen, I told her, had little paine ; 
and that Queens had endured as much with patience 
and chearfullness ; that as to great fortunes and sup- 
port, opulent couples were not exempted from Cares, 
and that tho' I was assured God had great blessings of 
that kind also in reserve ; yett sowre provisions and 
less Ambition, were as happy in the mutuall affection 
of each other, where there was a Competency for the 
present, and soe faire a prospect for the future : in a 
word, that there was some thing soe patriarchall (not 
to say despotic) and Royall in a well govern'd family, 
and worthy marriages, that I could not butt give it pre- 
heminence to all she had objected. These were the 
conflicts wee had on this subject ; and the difncultyes 
she suggested, where, I plainly told her, Itt was by no 
means agreeable to her piety, nor to the Equitye of the 
thing, that any less consideration than a fore sight of 
inevitable mine, should suspend her resolutions of give- 
ing her selfe to a deserving person whose approaches 
had been soe honourable, and whome she confess'd she 
lov'd above all the world. There is certainly nothing 
more calamitous, then where love (as they call it) drives 
the bargaine, and passion blinds the Man ; butt soe the 



44 THE LIFE OF 



young things precipitate, and the Giddy are entangled, 
and when the fancy cooles, repentance succeeds, and it 
ends in aversion and anxietye. But these Calentures 
concern'd not this excellent Couple, and such a Conju- 
gation of likely circumstances. I would tell her itt 
was not enough to be happy alone, when she might 
make another soe ; or ought she to resolve not to alter 
her Condition till she was out of reach of accidents, 
that it became a cruell and ill natur'd Laban to exact a 
double apprentyshipp for a Rachell ; that it was Saul 
that putt David to adventure for a wife ; that the He- 
roick tymes were now antiquated, and people proceed- 
ed by gentler and more compendious methods ; and 
the decencyes of her sex, and custome of the nation, 
and the honour of the condition, and the want of Mon- 
astery es and pyous Recesses obliged her to marry. 
Marry then in Gods name, said I, since my advice you 
aske : itt is finally what I think you ought to resolve 
on ; tho' if I studdied my owne satisfaction, I should 
rather promote this aversion, and seeke to fortifye your 
suspicion ; for as I profess it the greatest Contentment 
of my life that you have vowed me your friendshipp 
soe solemnly, and that you will be constant, whilst I 
incite you to marry, I endanger and putt it to the haz- 
ard ; for perhaps your husband may be jealous, tho' 
without cause ; or he may have particular dislike to 
me, or may not be noble, free, and ingenious, or may 
make you vnhappy otherwise, which would be the 
greatest affliction could happen to me ; whereas, con- 
tinuing as you are, mistress of your selfe and your con- 
versation, your virtue and my yeares, and the con- 
science of my duty, and both our discretions, will pre- 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 45 



serve our friendshipp honorable, pious, and vsefull. In 
sum, I said nothing vpon Marriage, butt what I could 
vnravell to the advantage of virginitye, — the ease of a 
single life, the opportunityes of doeing more good, of 
serveing God better, of prolonging life — by example and 
precept from Scripture, from Fathers, from Legends and 
historyes, and present her such a lovely picture of that 
state, which approaches next the nature of Angells, 
(who neither marry nor are given in marriage) as 
would have brought her to more than a suspence, or 
requireing farther advice : she would have needed no 
farther argument to render her more vnkind to Hymen, 
and to the repose of one who she knew I pittyed ; and, 
therefore, I ever perswaded her against the Recess she 
soe often was threatning, as a thing singular and of 
little advantage. I applauded her recourse to assiduous 
and humble prayer ; that God would direct her for the 
best, and that after all I had said and written to her, 
she would make that her Oracle ; being confident that 
God, who had hitherto taken such signall care of her, 
would not suffer her to miscarry in this Concerne. 
For I could not endure to see her alhvayes in a doubtfull 
and vncertaine condition ; because it could be profitable 
for neither, for when she had seriously consulted her 
friends, she had done all that was required ; and since 
it could not but be their vniversall suffrage, she was to 
accquiess, I therefore advised her, that in case she still 
resolv'd to live as she was, it should be butt for a tyme, 
without Imposeing on her selfe, and soe from tyme to 
tyme, as Circumstances might be, butt till then mind 
her health ; for she began to looke pale and leane, and 
had been too negligent of her selfe, which I reproved 



46 THE LIFE OF 



her for. Butt this did not alltogeather the effect, — she 
rejoines, and writes to me from Twicknam thus: — 

" 26th July. 
" Your advice I like, and all you say on both sub- 
jects ; yett am still where I was, wishing to live alone, 
as a thing most suiteable to my humour, and the nearest 
way to heaven ; nor can you blame one soe weake as 
I am, to chuse that path which will soonest bring me to 
my Journeys end. However, I shall observe your 
Rules, and soe farr your counsell, as not to determine 
any thing rashly, till he give me free leave to doe it. 
In the meane tyme, if you approve of it, that the world 
may not think by my growing leane as you say, I leave 
it with regrett, for the tyme I stay here I intend to take 
care of my health, and drink the Cows milk in the 
Morning, and because I am not to sleep imediately 
vpon it, my Maid shall read to me some divine Subject ; 
then rise and finish my private dutyes, then pray with 
my Servants, and be dressed by Eleaven, and soe have 
tyme before prayers to read a Chapter with other dutyes ; 
note and collect something out of what I read. Att six 
in the Evening I will repeate my Course againe, and 
after that learn such things by heart as I gladly would 
retaine ; after Supper pray with my people and by my 
selfe, my Maid reading to me whilst I am vndressing, 
and then lay me downe in peace. This is the method 
I intend for ordnary dayes, nott Frydayes, when you 
know I am to fast, and spend it intirely with God ; or 
Sundayes, [when] I will rise early and Imploy it with 
as much devotion as I can ; — this is, I say, the course T 
purpose here, if you approve of it ; for the rest, eat my 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 47 



meate heartyly, and comply with the conversation of 
the Family ; tho' I all this tyme wish extreamly that J 
were setled, where I needed vse none of these Imper- 
tinencyes, the observances and ceremonyes of visitts, 
formal 1 meals, &c. to the expence of my tyme ; butt 
wholly attend on God, night and day. Nor should I 
dare yett to indulge my selfe this liberty, did I att all 
please my selfe in it as formerly I had done : or that I 
intend to continue it above 3 months att furthest, if I 
change not my Condition, which is to marry (as you 
would have me) and become worldly. Soe as by the 
end of Summer, I shall be free, and then none will con- 
sider my lookes, nor shall I be concern'd if they doe, att 
the distance of my retreate. Pray lett me know what 
you think of all this. I was this day very devout, but 
nott tender, and I hope it was as well, for I thank God 
I have made good resolutions." 

This being the substance of her letter in reply to 
one of myne, your Ladyshipp may perceive, as, how 
devoutly this blessed Virgin, (for soe must I call her,) 
spent her tyme in that delicious place, and amongst 
such a Confluence of Visittants, &c, soe how her heart 
was bent vpon her Northern Recess, to which I was soe 
averse ; and I was confident she would not long have 
enjoy'd herselfe in it ; nor could the distance of Here- 
fordsheir have worne him out of her thoughts, which 
that of France and Spaine could not doe. The trueth 
is, I did heartily pitty that worthy Gentleman, and saw 
noe reason in the world why they should not both be 
happy in each other, and my friend composed, without 
takeing any exterordnary or singular course ; tho' on 



48 THE LIFE OF 



the other hand, when I considered thro' what difficul- 
ty es and reluctances, this tender creature, now in the 
flower of her beauty, witt, and reputation att court, 
would sacrifice all to God, I could hardly abstaine from 
crying out, O magnanimous Virgin, I applaud your de- 
signe, I approve, I admire your choice ; I magnifye your 
example ; itt is great, 'tis illustrious, because it is the bet- 
ter part, and formed vpon just consideration : you have 
weighed itt long, and enquired of God : I allow, I allow, 
and envye your purpose ; O sweet repose of a devout 
soule, the flames of Celestial love, the fruition of Jesus, 
theantepasts of Heaven, what shall I call, what shall I 
name it; Consumate felicitye who has none to feare, none 
to serve, none to love butt God ; but whilst you are made 
free why leave you me behind, intangl'd in the world, 
whilst you are in the light, I [am] in darkness and a 
chaos ; for when you are gone what is the Court or 
Country to your friend. I shall see you no more in the 
Circle, nor Joine voices with you in the Quire, nor visitt 
your holy cell ; with you our Joyes are departed, re- 
ceive me then from this hatefull abode ; and begg of 
God, that the circumstances of my life being composed, 
I, who Emulate, may Imitate your example, and de- 
vote the remainder of my few dayes to eternity ; or at 
least while I am to converse here below, (for you are 
gone from the Earth) may I live in the contemplation 
of your virtues, and be a part of your Intercessions. 
Goe then, my holy freind, when you please, and be 
happy. 

Madam, you may possibly imagine this a Roman- 
tick folly, or the transport of some lover ; butt I assure 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 49 



you, they were the dictates of my mind and heart, 
whilst I was Councelling her to stay and to marry ; for, 
tho' I thought this more expedient, I could not but pro- 
nounce that the more perfect and exterordnary well. 
Thus she continued att Twicknam, as it were, in pro- 
bation, for the most part retired, and sometymes in con- 
versation. He often came to visitt her, and that broke 
her heart if he abstain'd from comeing. She was still 
vneasy ; soe after some weeks, she returnes to London, 
with fall resolution of beginning her Journey, and the 
very day was prefixt ; butt when it approach'd, indeed 
it was not possible to pacifye my Lady Berkley ; who 
being to lose the most sweet and agreeable companion 
in the world, imploy'd all that friendshipp, love, and 
passion could inspire for the changeing her resolution, 
and the Convulsion was so sensible to them both, that 
she was forced to give way to her Importunityes, and 
deliberate on it some longer tyme. Nor was itt allto- 
geather in the consideration of my Lady alone, that she 
suffer'd herselfe to be prevailed on, there were others 
whome (when it came to the Test) she was vn willing 
to leave for soe long a tyme, and soe great a distance, 
and among them, I should be strangely vngratefull, not 
to acknowledge the share I had in her thoughts and 
excellent nature, when I shall accquaint you of the 
Resolution she had to take a little house att Greenwich ; 
and I had commission from her to find out a place 
whither she might retire to, without goeing as it were 
out of the world, into the North ; not being able as she 
affirmed, to comply any longer with the receiveing and 
paying Impertinent visitts, and other avocations and 
circumstances, which took vpp all her tyme att London, 

4 



50 THE LIFE OF 



tho' with a Lady who soe much esteem'd her. I con- 
fess, I was not forward to promote this designe, not 
only because I thought [it] inconvenient for a Lady soe 
young, and who was allready disposed to a more than 
ordnary reservedness, to cherish the humour ; butt that it 
would appeare like something over singular in her and 
prejudiciall to her health. I proposed therefore, her ac- 
cepting the best accomodation I could give her, and she 
had certainly spent some considerable ty me with my wife, 
and retired to the little Cell, where your Ladyshipp has 
sometymes found her ; but my Lady Berkley could not 
suffer this Ecclipse, or endure that she should goe from 
her with any patience. Itt was on this that she writes 
me thus at large what conflicts she had endur'd ; and 
att the close : — " My best friend as to my being in your 
family, itt was allmost, and ah ! that it had not been 
allmost, butt alltogeather ; for whatever you think, it 
is hard for me to describe how sorry I am to be thus 
farr from so deare a friend ; and you don't know that I 
have given over severall other proposals of settling my 
selfe, when that thought comes into my head, that I 
shall be a great way from you, vnless I continue where 
I am att least for some months, till God is pleased to 
dispose of me one way or other." 

Butt whilst she was in this vncertainty and suspence 
where she should fix, and that the winter began to ap- 
proach, there was a play to be acted att Court before 
their Majestyes, wherein none were to be Actors butt 
persons of the most Illustrious quality ; the Lady Mary, 
since Princess of Orange, the Dutchess of Monmouth, 
and all the shineing beautyes ; and itt was not possible 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 51 



to leave her out, who had vpon the like solemnity for- 
merly, and when she was Maid of Honour, acquitted 
her selfe with soe vniversall applause and admiration ; 
and veryly, never was any thing more charmeing and 
more a divertisement, than to hear her at any tyme 
recite, or read a Dramatick poem. She had not only a 
most happy memory, butt exquisite Judgment, and 
could add those motions to her voice, as gave what she 
pronounced, the greatest sweetness and grace Imagin- 
able. This, though she would heretofore and butt 
rarely have done for diversion, and amongst freinds, 
the most innocentt in the world, she had now intirely 
taken leave of, and butt in Complyance with some great 
Ladyes (whome she could not decently refuse) did she 
willingly see a play att the Theater ; and therefore, to 
be now herselfe an Actoress (tho' among such an As- 
sembly of noble Persons) was to putt a Mortification 
on her, that cost her not only great reluctancy, butt 
many teares. Butt there was no refuseing ; the King 
and Duke had laid their Commands vpon her, to beare 
a part with the Lady Mary, and others of Illustrious 
name. I came often to her when she was reciteing, 
and am wittness with what extreame regrett, and how 
vnwelcome to her this honour was. Butt she had att 
this moment alsoe another affaire in hand, which more 
Imported her, and the difficulty in compassing that 
which solely by his Majestes favour was to be obtain'd, 
dispos'd her the more reasonably to comply. She had 
ever since her Recess from Court, liv'd in expectation 
of the present which of course their Majestyes vsed to 
make to the Maids of Honour, who haveing waited a 
competent time vpon the Glueene, doe either marry or 



52 THE LIFE OF 



withdraw from Court with their Royall permission; 
and now had she newly solicited the Duke to bespeake 
my Lord Treasurer about it, who gave her kind words, 
butt told her he must have the Kings particular direc- 
tion in it, butt in the meane while, was not forward to 
put his Majestye in mind of it ; and there was nothing 
to which she had a greater aversion then the Impor- 
tuneing great persons in her owne behalfe, for Civility 
which did not flow naturally from those in whose 
power it lay to oblige her. " I perceive," sayes she, in 
a letter to me, written 22d September, on this occasion, 
" that my buissness makes noe advance, and that where 
I least expected difficulty I find the greatest. The 
King sayes nothing to my Lord Treasurer, nor my 
Lord to him ; soe that for ought I perceive, 'tis likely 
to depend thus a long tyme : well, Gods will be done, 
as in Heaven, soe on Earth ; in the meane tyme I am 
extreamly heavy, for I would be free from that place, 
and have nothing to doe in itt att all ; butt it will not 
be, for the play goes on mighty ly, which I hoped would 
never have proceeded farther. Dear friend, I begg 
your prayers this cloudy Weather, that God would 
endow me with patience and Resignation. Would you 
beleive itt, there are some that envy me the honour (as 
they esteeme it) of acting in this play, and pass mali- 
tious Jests vpon me. Now you know I am to turne 
the other Cheeke, nor take I notice of itt." 

See the humility of this excellent Creature, who 
you soe well knew, looked on this occasion as one of 
her greatest afflictions, and would have devolved the 
share she had in this Court Magnificence on any other 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 53 



Lady with a thousand acknowledgments, had their 
Majestyes butt excused her ; butt there was no retreat- 
ing ; she had her part assigned her, which, as itt was 
the most illustrious, soe never was there any perform'd 
with more grace, and becomeing the solemnity. She 
had on her that day near twenty thousand pounds value 
of Jewells, which were more sett off with her native 
beauty and luster then any they contributed of their 
owne to hers ; in a word, she seemed to me a Saint in 
Glory, abstracting her from the Stage. For I must tell 
you, that amidst all this pomp and serious impertinence, 
whilst the rest were acting, and that her part was some- 
tymes to goe off, as the scenes required, into the tireing 
roome, where severall Ladyes her companions were 
railing with the Gallants trifleingly enough till they 
were called to reenter, she vnder pretence of conning 
her next part, was retired into a Corner, reading a 
booke of devotion, without att all concerning herselfe 
or mingling with the young Company ; as if she had 
no farther part to act, who was the principall person of 
the Comedy ; nor this with the least discernable affec- 
tation, butt to divert and take off her thoughts from the 
present vanity, which from her soule she abhorred. I 
mention the passage as a singular work of her reall 
piety, and to shew how she continually applyed her 
mind on all occasions, and how little transported with 
those splendid follyes and gay entertainments which 
vsually take vp soe much of the pretious tyme which is 
given vs to worke out our Salvation. I need not en- 
large vpon the argument of the Poem, which you may 
.be sure, however defective in other particulars, was 
exactly modest, and suiteable to the Persons, who were 



54 THE LIFE OF 



all of the first rank and most illustrious of the Court : 
nor need I recount to your Ladyshipp with what a 
surprizeing and admirable aire she trode the Stage, and 
performed her Part, because she could doe nothing of 
this sort, or any thing else she undertooke, indifferently, 
butt in the highest perfection. Butt whilst the whole 
Theater were extolling her, she was then in her owne 
Eyes, not only the humblest, butt the most diffident of 
herself, and least affecting praise. 

Thus ended the Play, butt soe did not her affliction, 
for a disaster happened which extreamly concem'd her, 
and that was the loss of a Diamond of considerable val- 
lue, which had been lent her by the Countess of Suffolke ; 
the Stage was immediately swept, and dilligent search 
made to find it, butt without success, soe as probably 
it had been taken from her, as she was oft inviron'd 
with that infinite Crowd which tis impossible to avoid 
vpon such occasion. Butt the loss was soone repair'd, 
for his Royall Highness vnderstanding the trouble she 
was in, generousely sent her where withall to make my 
Lady Suffolke a present of soe good a Jewell. For the 
rest of that dayes triumph, I have a particular account 
still by me of the rich Apparell she had on her, amount- 
ing, besides the Pearles and Pretious Stones, to above 
three hundred pounds, butt of all which she immedi- 
ately disposed her selfe, soe soone as ever she could gett 
clear of the Stage. Without complimenting any Crea- 
ture, or trifling with the rest who staid the collation 
and refreshment that was prepar'd, away she slipps 
like a Spiritt to Berkley House, and to her little Ora-, 
torye ; whither I waited on her, and left her on her 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 55 



knees, thanking God that she was delivered from this 
vanity, and with her Saviour againe, never, sayes she, 
will I come within this temptation more whilst I breath. 

And thus Mrs. Blagge took her leave of the pomp 
and glory of the world, and with fresh resolutions that 
if other circumstances did not intervene, namely, such 
as might soe alter her condition as decently to counte- 
nance her longer stay in these Parts, she would yett be- 
take herselfe to her design'd retreat. She was not satis- 
fyed that those who could not butt take notice what Per- 
son it was she preferr'd before all the world, should 
speak of her withdrawing from Court, and liveing now 
soe long near it without proceeding any further, tho* 
divers could not be driven from the opinion that she 
was allready marryed. Itt is certaine that excellent 
Man could never think of parting with her, nor she 
herselfe from soe many Friends besides, as infinitely 
vallued her ; butt vnless he could alsoe decently have 
taken himselfe from Court, which was the thing they 
both projected and desired, that they might wholy quit 
all dependancys which interrupted their living to- 
geather, butt which for many prudent considerations 
had been inconvenient for him as yett, she was not 
easily perswaded to linger here and be vpon vncertain- 
tyes, who had all along in her Eye the modelling of 
her life, so as not to be obliged to those complyances 
she was of necessity to vndergoe in a Station soe near 
to the Court, unless Mr. G. should fix on firme Im- 
ployment as might not only countenance her stay and 
marrying, butt render other circumstances easy like- 
wise : tho', as I said, there was nothing which they 



56 THE LIFE OF 



both did breathe after more then to have settled some- 
where remote in the Country, from all Intanglements 
of the World. Thus farr she had pleased herselfe to 
acquaint me with her most intimate concerns. I doe 
not affirme that to obviate some objections of hers he 
meditated the purchase of that honorable Office which 
he afterwards succeeded in, butt the Master of the 
Robes, now Earle of Rochester, discovering his inten- 
tion about this tyme to part with that place, might, in 
my opinion, be an inducement with them to marry, 
and rather trust God with the event of things, then give 
the World occasion, after soe long expectation, to think 
she made a retreat out of rashness or discontent : where- 
fore vpon the 16th of May, which was Assention Day, 
they both marryed togeather in the Temple Church, 
by the Reverend Doctor Lake, one of his Royall High- 
nesse Chaplaines, my Lady Berkley and a Servant of 
the Brides onely being present, and I think nobody 
else, both the blessed Paire receiveing the holy Sacra- 
ment, and consecrateing the Solemnity with a double 
Mistery. 

Her not acquainting me with this particular of a 
good while after, occasioned a friendly quarrell between 
vs, that she who had intrusted me for many years with 
all her concerns, nay her greatest Inclinations, and 
vpon occasion not only named me for the particular 
Friend that should be wittness of her Marriage, butt 
give her to her Husband, should now with such In- 
dustry conceale it from me. And now He tell your 
Ladyshipp how I could not butt discover it, for noe 
sooner was the Knott tyed, butt she one day desired I 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 57 



would lett her pervse all the Letters I had of hers, and 
which she knew I too religiously reserv'd, not that she 
could be conscious of haveing ever written that to me 
which might not have past the severest Eye, butt be- 
cause there being in many of them professions of the 
sinceritye and holy friendshipp that an excellent Soule 
(and such as hers was) could express, they might by 
any accident possibly fall into hands that prophane 
every thing, and most, [the] innocent and virtuous ; I 
failed not to transmitt them to her, nor she to returne 
them, as indeed finding nothing in them which should 
cause her to deprive me of a Treasure she knew I soe 
infinitely vallued ; nor could I beleive that tho' she had 
given [herself] to so worthy a Person she design'd by 
sending for her Letters to break with me, as Ladys vse 
to doe with vnfortunate Rivalls : for she thus accom- 
panyes her Pacquett : 

My Friend, This being Tuesday, a Day which long 
since you know has belonged to a Friend of myne, I 
have putt togeather all the Letters, Papers, and other 
Fragments, excepting Meditations, which I think you 
have Coppyes of, and among which are some Prayers 
of mine, and all your Bookes ; only that you last sent 
me, and I am now reading, of the Intercourse betweene 
Christ and the Soule, I desire to retaine, because now 
and then I am much pleased and softned with some 
passages of it ; and now I have this day prayed your 
prayers, thought your thoughts, wish'd, I dare say, 
your wishes, which were that I might every Day sett 
looser and looser to the things of this World, discern- 
ing, as every day I doe, the folly and vanity of it : how 

4* 



58 THE LIFE OF 



short all its Pleasures, how trifling all its Recreations, 
how false most of its Friendshipps, how transitory 
every thing in it, and on the contrary, how sweete the 
Service of God, how delightfull the meditateing on his 
Word, how pleasant the Conversation of the Faithfull, 
and above all, how charmeing Prayer, how glorious 
our Hopes, how gratious our God is to all his Children, 
how gentle his Corrections, and how frequently by the 
first Invitations of his Spiritt, he calls vs from our low 
Designes to those great and noble ones of serveing him, 
and attaineing eternall happiness ; these have been this 
Dayes Thoughts and Imployment ; for my Lady 
Hamilton being here, and some Freinds att Cards, I 
have had the whole Day to myselfe. Rejoyce with 
me my Friend and be exceeding glad, for soe it be- 
comes vs whenever wee have oppertunity of serveing 
him. 

And now, Madam, by this, which accompanied the 
redition of her Letters, your Ladyshipp may conclude 
what Courtshipp there vsed to pass betweene vs ; how- 
ever, her solicitude thus for them on a suddaine might 
well give me vmbrage, and I was resolved to live vnder 
an affected Ignorance, assured by knowing, and as af- 
terwards I learn'd, that this niceness could never pro- 
ceed from herselfe, but from some other prevalent obli- 
gation ; and I ever esteemed it an Impertinence to be 
over curious when I found there was designe of con- 
cealement, and should have much wondred att it of her 
to me, butt that I was soe perfectly accquainted with 
her Virtues ; whereof one, and that none of the least 
care in her sex, was that whenever she was vnder a 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 59 



promise of Sacrifice, nothing in the World could vnlock 
her Bosome, or slack her resolution. A Secrett was 
indeed a Secrett when comitted to her : and yett againe, 
when I called to mind the reiterated Promisses she had 
made me never to alter her condition without adviseing 
with me, I was somtymes in suspence of my Conjec- 
tures, and would often reproach myselfe for the Sugges- 
tion. Nor did this a little confirme me that she was 
not marryed, that my Lady Berkley now vpon her goe- 
ing with her Husband, design'd Ambassoder Exteror- 
dinarye to the Court of France, and Plenepotentiarye 
at the famous Treaty of Nymeghen, she solemnly con- 
sulted me about her accompanying her Ladyshipp to 
Paris, and staying there with her some competent tyme, 
to see how God would dispose of things. I must ac- 
knowledg I was not soe averse from this proposali of 
hers, ashopeing it might divert her melancholy designe 
and hankfering] after Herefordsheir, and since my son, 
then butt a Youth, had importun'd me to lett him travell, 
I was the easier inclin'd to gratify e him, vpon the as- 
sureance I had of the great care she would have of him, 
since he was not only to accompany her in the way, 
butt be in the same House with her, and in all things 
injoin'd to follow her directions. Nor ever could he 
have had soe blessed an opportunitye of improveing 
himselfe ; this little selfe interest obtain'd on me I con- 
fess, att that tyme, butt such as I would most willingly 
have sacrificed, could I have prevail'd with her to stay 
without pursueing her Notherne Journey, where [the] 
abandoning herselfe to Solitude, must soone have ruin'd 
her health and made her vnhappy. 



60 THE LIFE OF 



This excursion then concluded on, and lyeing intire- 
]y vpon me for her Provisions and Supplyes abroad, her 
mind seem'd to be much att ease, butt it was some 
Months that this resolution was taken ere they sett 
forth, and all this tyme, I am perswaded, she and her 
Husband liv'd with the same reserves that the Angells 
doe in Heaven, not thinking fltt to cohabitt till they de- 
clar'd their Marriage, which for reasons best knowne to 
themselv's they did not doe till she came back from 
France againe. In this interim, and towards the latter 
end of June, she did me the honour to pass a fortnight 
att my little Villa, and brought me a Letter of Attorney to 
transact all her concerns dureing her absence, as looke- 
ing now every Day when my Lord Berkley would be 
dispatched and enter on his Journey, when behold vpon 
the 27th a Fitt of an Appoplexy seizing on him as he 
was sitting at the Councell Table at White Hall, and 
continueing on him all that night, without the least ap- 
pearance of releasing him from its mortall effects, or if 
that might be possible, of ever restoreing him to toilera- 
ble sence and vigour, banish'd all thoughts of Embas- 
syes, and consequently of our goeing into France. 
But God was more gratious to him, for the Phisitians 
had beyond all expectations, and even amidst dispair, 
brought him not only out of this fatall Paroxysme, butt 
after some tyme to soe much strength (tho' in most 
men's opinions not perfectly restored to his memorye 
and abilityes) as nothing would divert him from his 
intended progress. On the 10th of November his Ex- 
cellency sett forth with his Traine, my son and 1 ac- 
companying them the first Day to Sittinborne ; for in 
regard of his Lordshipps indisposition they made butt 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 61 



easy Journeys. Canterbury was our next nights re- 
pose ; when in the Morning after wee had been att 
Prayers in the Cathedrall, Mrs. Godolphin and I walk- 
ing alone togeather, she declared to me what exceeding 
regrett she was in to leave her Friends. Not without 
many teares I expostulated with her, why she would 
goe then, I am engaged, sayes she, to my Lady Berkley, 
who tells me I breake her Heart if I forsake her, and 
you see in what condition her Lord is, and poore 
Woman, what would become of her if he should dye, 
and she have never a Friend by her ? nor would I have 
People think I retire out of any other respect. B utt Mr. 
E. if ever I returne againe, and doe not marry, I will 
still retire, and end my Dayes among you, and you are 
like to have the share of the trouble ; for she had often 
said she would divide her Life among her Friends, and 
did me the honour to putt me into the Rank of one of 
the first. 

This, Madam, was the only tyme that in her Life 
she ever prevaricated with me, and cover'd it with that 
address ; and was, I am most assured, in deepest sorrow, 
as all my former suspicions of her being marryed van- 
ish't. Doe you not think, sayes she, that it afflicts me 
to the Soule to part with you, and from one who I am 
sure you believe I love intirely, and leave in my Condi- 
tion ? This, vttered with a fflood of sorrow, I was not 
able to sustain without reciprocall kindness and tender- 
dess. Butt the tyme now call'd us to break off this 
Conversation, the saddest that in my Life I ever saw 
[her] in ; she had left her Heart att another Place, and 
with one that therefore did not accompany her, because 



62 THE LIFE OF 



he was of a tender nature, and durst not trust his Pas- 
sion, whilst their Designe was to conceal their relation. 
Wee arrived this evening att Dover, where, after supper, 
calling me into her Chamber, she sign'd and delivered 
me her Will, before her Maid, wherein she had me her 
Administrator : for it seems her Husband had impow- 
er'd her to dispose of what she pleas'd, and as she 
pleased, as afterwards she told me ; this done, she de- 
sir'd I would pray with her, and soe I left her, as full 
of Sorrow as she could hold. 

Early the next Morning I waited on her againe, and 
againe, and fell into the same resentments ; and that 
now she was soe near the tyme when she must be sep- 
arated from them she lov'd, I know not how, said I, you 
part from your Lover, butt never may you feele what it 
is to part from a Friend. I beleive there is one that 
you really love, and that 'tis mutuall, how is it then you 
thus goe from him, and he from you ? this is strange 
proceedings, 'tis spirituall, 'tis high, 'tis mysterious and 
singular ; but find it a name if you can, for I confess 1 
vnderstand it not ; doe you preserve serenity of mind, 
and yett continue languishing? Nothing is in nature 
soe repugnant as Love and absence, where nothing for- 
bidds the object to be present. O heroick Soules, if you 
think to be att ease, I shall be glad ; butt greatly 
oblig'd to learne the Secrett, and be taught to beare this 
Divulsion with as little pain, since I know of noe In- 
gagement you have to goe from your Friends and those 
whom you profess to love. Goe back, goe back then, 
and be happy both, for this Course will weare you both 
out, if really you love him. For goodness sake doe not 
break my Heart (sayes she), you see I am engaged ; and 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 63 



then she wept and wore such a cloud of Sorrow all that 
Morning, that she could hardly speak a word when I 
lead her downe to the Company.'now prepareing to goe 
on board. Itt was vpon the 13th of November that 
vpon the Beach wee tooke solemn leave, and I should 
discover too much of my weakness to express the trou- 
ble I was in, to see her overwhelm'd with grief that 
she could not speake one word ; butt thus she was 
carried into the Yatch, when being a little launched in- 
to the Sea, the Fort from the Castle gave his Excellencye 
1 7 Guns, and was answered with five, according to the 
Forme. 

I recount this passage to your Ladyshipp more 
minuitely, as being the most passionate and most mys- 
terious ; nor will I therefore make any reflections on it 
then what I am perswaded your Ladyshipp must doe, 
and then conclude them with admiration how two 
Persons that lov'd each other soe intirely, could support 
a Divorce soe long ; or what might be the Cause, if any 
other there were, butt a singular and extreme niceness 
not to come together, which they might be suspected to 
doe, however to appearance they lived reserv'd, till 
they publickly avow'd their Marriage, which you may 
remember they forbare till they had made their Familyes 
and Equipage complete. 

On the 5th of December, she writt me word of their 
safe arrivall att Paris, and how they had dispos'd of 
themselves ; together with an Account of my Lord Am- 
bassadors magnificent Entry and Audience att the 
French Court, with other pompious Circumstances, 



64 THE LIFE OF 



which yett soe little concern'd this admirable Creature, 
that she would only be noe Spectator of it, butt not soe 
much as once appeared att Court all the tyme of her 
being att the Ambassadors House. And tho' the Re- 
port of such a Beauty and Witt had soe forerun her ar- 
rivall, by some who had known her in the Circle att 
Court, that the French King was desireous to see her in 
that att Saint Germans ; yett she soe order'd matters as 
to avoid all occasions of goeing thither, and came back 
to England without giveing that great Monarch the 
satisfaction of one Glaunce, or her selfe of the Splendor 
or Vanity of his Court ; which is soe singular a Note in 
her sex, and of one naturally soe curious and observeing, 
that I cannot pass it over without a just remarke, es- 
pecially being a Lady soe infinitely compleasant, and 
of a nature soe obligeing, Mistress alsoe of the French 
Tongue to such perfection, as rendered her capable of 
entertaining Persons of the highest quality, nor was this 
reservdness out of humour or singularity. She now 
considers her selfe a marryed Woman, and tho' she 
went over to accompany my Lady, there was no ne- 
cessity for her to appeare att Court, where the virtues of 
strangers did not allways protect the Sex from Incon- 
veniencyes ; and she was resolv'd to give no occasion 
to be talk'd of or admir'd. All the Tyme she could re- 
deeme from those Civilityes she owed my Lady, and 
which now begun to be very tedious to one whose 
Heart was in another Country, she spent in Devotion, 
reading excellent Bookes, and converseing with some 
few of her Accquaintance, butt without gratifyeing her 
curiosity by goeing out to see the many rarityes which 
the famous Citty she was in invites all strangers to, vn- 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 65 



less it were that of her goeing one afternoone to a 
Cloyster of Nuns ; whose manner of liveing did not 
displease her, whilst nothing of their Superstition could 
endanger one soe well principled in her Religion. I 
will give your Ladyshipp a transcript of the first 
Letter sent me after her arrival att Paris, to comfirme it. 

" My Friend, I promised you an Account of our 
Journey hither ; there was nothing in it of exterordnary, 
no ill accident, nothing like Pintos Travells. Since I 
came to Paris, I have hardly been out of doores to visit 
any body, butt there has been a Preist to visitt me ; 
butt without Yanity I think I said as much for my 
Opinion as he did for his. I am now reading Moun- 
sieur Clauds Defence de la Reformation, and like it 
most exceedingly ; soe as you need have noe fear of me 
on that side. God knows, the more one sees of their 
Church, the more one finds to dislike in itt ; I did not 
imagine the tenth part of the Superstition I find in it, 
yett still could approve of their Orders. Their Nun- 
neryes seem to be holy Institutions, if they are abused 
'tis not their fault : what is not perverted ? Marriage 
itt selfe is become a snare, and People seem to dispose 
of their Children young, lest the remedy increase the 
dissease : butt when I have commended that baile of 
theirs, I have said for them, I think, all that reasonably 
can be said. One thing I must tell you, Friend, Peo- 
ple can have the Spleens here in Paris, lett them say 
what they will of the Aire ; butt if Arithmetick will 
cure itt, I am goeing with my Charge, your Son, to be 
a very hard Student, and wee intend to be very wise." 



THE LIFE OF 



I present yon, Madam, with this Fragment of a 
Letter, to shew yonr Ladyshipp how she spent her 
Tyme, when she could redeeme it from Complyances 
with the Company, and the Decencyes of such Visitts as 
were not to be resisted where Persons of Q,ualitye came 
to see her ; butt of which she grew soe weary att last 
— and for another reason you may conjecture, — as with- 
in a Month or two of her arrival 1, this excellent Crea- 
ture was quite sick of France. 

" I am weary," says she, in another Letter to me of 
the 4th of February, " of my Life, I have here no tyme 
for my Soule. Cards wee play att four Houres every 
Day ; whoever comes to visitt, I must be by to inter- 
prett ; where ever a certaine Lady goes (if my Lady 
H. be not att hand), I must trudge ; soe that poore I 
can scarce say my Prayers, and seldome or never read. 
Dear Friend, pray heartyly, that if it be Gods will, I 
may be restor'd to my owne People, and to my God ; 
for tho' he be every where I cannott call vpon him as 
I was wont att home : therefore for God's sake pray 
that I may speedily and once again worshipp him in 
his Congregation, and enjoy the assistance of his Grace, 
the presence of my best Friends, whom as my Life I 
love. I could content my selfe with any thing, I think, 
were I once at home. Butt I must doe nothing rashly ; 
I hope yett in God through your Prayers, and my owne 
firme Resolutions, to gett home assoone as ever I can, 
being quite wearyed with dedicateing my selfe perpet- 
ually to other People. 'Tis almost one a Clock ere I 
can gett to Bedd, soe that in the Morning I am not able 
to rise before Eight, and passing then an Hour in Prayer 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 67 



and Psalmes, and an Houre and a halfe in reading, 
sometymes one Booke, sometymes another, by the tyme 
I am dress'd Publique Prayers begin ; then follows Din- 
ner, then Talk till 3, then goe to Publick Prayers, then 
prate againe, God knows till Six a Clock, and then with 
much difficulty gett away to pray, for my selfe, for you, 
and some other, then am I call'd to Cards till Bed tyme. 
O pittye, pittye me, dear Friend !" 

I shall need repeate noe more of her sad laments ; 
diverse have I by me, and yet it was still more for this 
interruption of her assiduous course and devotion than 
for any other consideration. She lookes vpon it as an 
Exile from the House of God, which like holy David, 
was to her intolerable. Even amongst the circum- 
stances of splendor, ease, and worldly diversion, she had 
been made beleive she should be as much Mistress of 
her retirements att Paris as she was wont to be att 
Berkley House : tho' neither there was she att the Lib- 
erty she breath'd after, Devotion, and Solitude, and Lea- 
sure for the improvement of her Mind. Butt this 
Affliction did not last, for vpon my Lord Ambassadors 
prepareing to goe to Nimoghen, and a reall pretence of 
an Affaire that concern'd her, namely, the disposeing of 
a considerable summe of mony intrusted with me, she 
decently tooke the oppertunitye of Mr. Bernard Green- 
vile returneing out of Italy, (whither he had been sent 
with a Publique Character to the great Duke of Tus- 
cany) and passing through Paris, of being conducted 
by that honorable and worthy Gentleman, without 
those difficultyes she might otherwise have met with ; 
nor doubt I butt my Lady Berkley, who was privy to 



68 THE LIFE OF 



her being marryed, and had now another Lady with 
her, less scrupulous and more diverting, was the easier 
wrought on to part with one she could suffer to be sup- 
planted by another, after such professions of the most 
superlative Friendship and Indearments in the World, 
and which, I am certaine, contributed not a little to 
what afflicted this tender and good natured Creature. 

Mrs. Godolphin (for soe now I call her) haveing thus 
taken leave of Paris, arrived att Dover the 3d of Aprill, 
in which interim I had by her direction order'd her 
Accomodations to be remov'd from Berkley House to 
Doctor Warnetts in Covent Garden, whose wife was 
her near relation. Soe on the Sixth of Aprill she gave 
me notice of her being come to London, where the 
next Day I waited on her, to the no small Joy, you may 
be sure, of all her Friends, as well as of my selfe. I 
will not repeate to your Ladyshipp what had allready 
pass'd betweene vs in friendly expostulations, for the 
vnkindness of her soe long concealing from me the cir- 
cumstance of her Marriage, because she had express'd 
her Sorrow with such an asseveration as in my whole 
Life before I never heard her vtter, soe as I could not 
but forgive her heartyly. Nor did this suffice, for she 
often acknowledg'd her fault, and beg'd of me that I 
would not diminish ought of my good Opinion of her, 
to the least wounding the intire Freindshipp which 
was betweene vs ; protesting she had been soe afflicted 
in her selfe for it, that were it to doe againe, noe con- 
sideration or complyance in the World should have 
prevailed on her to break her Promise, as some had 
done to her regrett. In good earnest I was sorry to see 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 69 



her troubled for it, considering the Empire of a pas- 
sionate Love, the singular and silent way of the Lover, 
whose gravity e and temper you know soe well, and 
with whome I had nothing of that intimacy and in- 
dear'd Friendshipp, which might intitle me to the Con- 
fidence he has since not thought me vnworthy of. I 
therefore mention this passage, because she was a Per- 
son of soe exact and nice a Conscience, that for all the 
"World she would not have violated her Promise ; nor 
did I ever find it in the least save this, which, when 
all is done, was of noe great importance. Save that I 
tooke it a little to heart she should soe industriously con- 
ceale a thing from one to whome she had all along 
comunicated her most intimate thoughts ; and when 
that affection of hers was placed, which she would of- 
ten acknowledge was not possible for her to moderate 
as she desir'd, or bring to the least indifference, after all 
her innocent stratagems and endeavours, and even 
sometymes resolutions, to quitt all the World, and think 
of him only in her Prayers. 

This scene being thus over, to my great satisfac- 
tion, and, as vpon all occasions I advised, when those 
melancholy thoughts and fancyes vs'd to interrupt her 
quiett, wee will looke vpon this Lady now, as a setled 
Woman, and in the Armes of that excellent Person the 
most worthy to possess her. Itt was on the 13th of 
Aprill that she did me the honour of a visitt att my 
house, expressing infinite acknowledgments to Al- 
mighty God for his goodness to her, after a most sol- 
emn manner, and that once againe she was come 
among her friends, beging of me, that I would continue 



70 THE LIFE OF 



to assist her with those little services she was pleased 
to accept. And now haveing thought fitt to make 
their marriage noe longer a secrett, — for she had not 
yett, I think, revealed it to her sister, nor did his Ma- 
jestye or Court, know any thing of it, till she was in 
Equipage to appeare as became her — she obtained of 
the Q,ueen a considerable augmentation of a Lease she 
had of certaine Lands in Spalding, about which she was 
pleased to make vse of my assistance, for the settlement 
of it. This was in May, and by the next month she 
had furnish'd and formed her pretty family att Berkley 
house, whether on the 27th of June, she removed out 
of Covent Garden, and began to receive the visitts and 
vsuall Congratulations vpon Marriages, soe vniversally 
approved of. 

Dureing this, I had the good fortune to secure a 
considerable summe due to her, which lay in some 
danger. V. in September began to build and accom- 
modate that pretty habitation for her in Scotland yard, 
which she contrived and adorn'd with soe much Inge- 
nuity and decency ; and where your Ladyshipp and 
all who knew and lov'd that excellent creature, have 
been soe chearfull, soe happy, and so vnhappy, that I 
never can pass or think vpon the place butt a thou- 
sand sad thoughts affect me. 

t twas dureing the fitting of that Lodging, that she 
came downe to vs att Sayes Court againe, and blessed 
the little apartment you know, with her presence, from 
the 28th of September, to the 19th of October, her hus- 
band then being att Newmarkett with his Majesty; 



MRS. G0D0LPH1N. 71 



nor can your Ladyshipp forgett how sweetly she liv'd 
in their retirement all this winter, till hearing of my Lord 
Berkleys returne from his Embassy, she thought fitt to 
remove to her own Lodgings, now finished att White- 
hall for alltogeather j» which accordingly she did on the 
last of March, settling with that pretty and discreete 
oeconomye soe naturall to her ; and never was there 
such an household of faith, never Lady more worthy 
of the blessings she was entering into, who was soe 
thankfull to God for them. 

" Lord," (says she, in a Letter to me) " when I this 
day considered my happyness, in haveing soe perfect 
health of body, chearfullness of mind, noe disturbance 
from without, nor griefe within, my tyme my owne, 
my house quiett sweete and pretty, all manner of Con- 
veniencys for serving God, in publick and private, how 
happy in my Friends, Husband, Relations, Servants, 
Creditt, and none to waite or attend on, but my dear 
and beloved God, from whome I receive all this, what 
a melting joy run through me att the thoughts of all 
these mercyes, and how did I think myselfe obliged to 
goe to the foote of my Redeemer, and acknowledge my 
owne vnworthiness of his favour : butt then what 
words was I to make vse of ; truely att first of none att 
all, but a devout silence did speak for me ; but after 
that I power'd out my prayers, and was in an amaze- 
ment that there should be such a sin as ingratitude, in 
the world, and that any should neglect this great duty ; 
butt why doe I say all this to you my friend ? truely 
that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth 
speaketh, and I am still soe full of it, that I cannot for- 
beare expressing my thoughts to you." 



72 THE LIFE OP 



And that this was not a transient rapture, vpon the 
sence of her present Enjoyment, butt a permanent and 
devout affection ; vpon the 16th day of October follow- 
ing, which day she constantly vsed to give me an ac- 
count of her concerns the year past, I find this passage 
in a Letter. 

" God Allmighty has been Infinitely gratious to me 
this year, for he has brought me back into my owne 
native Country in safety, and honourably prospered me 
in my temporall affaires ; above my expectation con- 
tinued my health, and my friends ; deliver'd me from 
the torments of suspence ; given me a husband that 
above all men living I vallue ; in a word, I have little 
to wish butt a Child, and to contribute something to my 
friends happyness, which I most impatiently desire; 
and then I must think before I can remember, what I 
would have more then I enjoy in this world, butt the 
continuance of a thankfull heart to my God." 

This, Madam, was the vse and the gratefull returne 
she made of the short blessings she enjoyed. Nor need 
I accquaint your Ladyshipp, with what care she in- 
structed her servants, how sedulously she kept her 
family to Religious dutyes, how decently she received 
her friends, how profitably she imployed every mo- 
ment of tyme. Nothing in this world had she more to 
wish, butt what God soone after gave her, that she might 
be Mother of a Child ; which she soe passionately de- 
sir'd after two yeares that she yett had none, as in the 
intervall she tooke home to her, a poore orphan girle, 
whome she tended, instructed and cherished, with the 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 73 



tenderness of a naturall mother. For I have beheld 
when she dress'd and undress'd it, and laid it to sleep 
with all the circumstances of a carefnll Mother and 
nurse ; till it pleased God to give her certaine hopes of 
the blessing she thought onely wanting to consumate 
her happyness. Nor did (as your Ladyshipp well 
knows) any Inconveniency of that burthen, at all 
slacken her devout course, but improve it rather ■ 
when to other considerable Charityes a little before she 
was brought to bedd, she sent me £.70 to distribute ; 
by which were releived many indigent people and 
poore house keepers ; and this was her owne entirely, 
for her excellent husband had the year before settled 
on her, not onely the product, but absolute disposall of 
the portion which she brought, to above £.4000, for the 
irreversible continuance thereof, they were pleased to 
intrust me to manage the Stock, soe as now haveing 
still wherewithall to inlarge her Charitye, without pre- 
judice ; there was indeed nothing wanting which she 
desired more in the world, as often she would repeate 
it to me, butt the life of that Dear Man, for soe she 
called her husband, for whome she had now and then 
much apprehension, subject as he was to fevors that 
had formerly endangered him, not in the least forebode- 
ing her owne departure, and leaveing him behind her ; 
tho' vpon a dreame of myne I once related to her some 
yeares before, she affirmed with much earnestness that 
she should certainely dye before me : which tho' I 
tooke little notice of then, and believed nothing less, I 
cannot but since reflect vpon ; especially when I call 
to mind, the order she gave the painter, that in the 
picture she some years since bestowed vpon me, she 

5 



74 THE LIFE OF 



would be drawne in a lugubrous posture, sitting vpon 
a Tomb stone adorned with a Sepulcher Vrne ; nor 
was this att all my fancy, butt her express desire. 
Butt to lay noe more stress on this, how frequently 
have I heard her say, she lov'd to be in the house of 
Mourning. Nor does your Ladyshipp forgett how a 
few dayes before her Reckoning was out, my Lady 
Viscountess Mordant giveing her a visitt, and finding 
her eyes swollen with teares, she tol4 her she had 
being doeing a sad, yett to her a pleasing thing, and 
that was the writeing something to her husband which 
she requested he would doe for her, if she should dye 
of that Child ; and then added the great Comfort and 
satisfaction it was to her, that she had putt her little 
concerns in order, and otherwise made preparations 
against all surprizes, and was perfectly resign'd. 
This discourse for the present drew mutuall Tears, 
but abated nothing of her wonted chearfullness : when 
on the fifteenth of May, which was the Anniversary of 
her marriage, she with your Ladyshipp and sister Gr. 
honour'd my poore house with a visitt, (the last she ever 
gave me, and therefore not to be forgotten) the perfect 
good humour she then was in renders the memory of 
it sad, as well as that she was in the July after, when 
wee all went with her to Mr. Ashmoles att Lambath 
who diverted her with many curiosity es : butt after 
this, growing bigger, she rarely stirr'd abroad, save to 
the Chappell. Itt was yett againe on the fourth of 
August, that my Lady Mordant and my wife (by as- 
signation betweene them) went to dyne with her att 
her pretty appartment, they found her well, but some- 
thing more then vsually solemne ; she had it seemes 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 75 



been reading and sorting of papers and Letters, and 
how, sayes she, is it possible to think of ones friends 
wee are to leave behind, without concernment ; with 
discourse to this purpose. This more then ordinary- 
Impulse, that she should not outlive the happiness she 
had soe long wished for, made the Conversation less 
gay and chearfnll then otherwise it was wont to be, 
and it seemes to me, she had some apprehensions ex- 
terordinary, which were not discern'd by any of her 
friends ; when often wishing that she might, if soe it 
pleas'd God, bring her husband one Child, and leave 
him that pledge of her intire affection. She seemed to 
thirst after nothing more than to be with God ; and 
veryly what estimate she tooke of these poore satisfac- 
tions here, when I have sometymes reflected on the 
circumstances of her youth and chearfull temper, with 
the prospect of as much worldly happyness as she 
could desire, I have extreamly wonder'd att her con- 
tempt of it, finding likewise that it did not proceed 
from any peevish discontent or singularitye of humour, 
butt from a philosophicall, wise and pious considera- 
tion of the vicissitude and instabilitye of all earthly 
fruitions, and an ardent longing after that glorious 
state, where (said she) I shall be perfectly att repose, 
and sin no more. And that these were almost her con- 
tinuall thoughts and aspirations, see how she enter- 
taines me, in a postcript about the very tyme. 

"Lett vs pray, that Gods Kingdome of Grace being 
received into our hearts, his Kingdome of Glory may 
succeed, and soe wee ever be with the Lord ; which 
indeed I long for, more then all the satisfactions of this 



76 THE LIFE OF 



world ; really Friend there's nothing in it to be chosen 
for itselfe. Is not eating to satisfye the paine of hunger, 
sleepe to ease our wearyness, and other divertisements 
to take off the mind from being too intent on things 
that it cannot allwayes support without great inconve- 
niency to its facultyes ? Retirement againe is to dis- 
charge it of that burthen, and the staines it has con- 
tracted by being in conversation, and impertinent Com- 
pany ; soe that vpon the matter, our intire life is in my 
opinion, an inquiry after remedyes, which doe often if 
not allways exchange rather than cure our innrmityes ; 
I acknowledge that God has imparted to me many 
great blessings, which if our nature were not sadly de- 
prav'd, wee might exceedingly rejoyce in, butt wee 
make soe ill vse of most of them, that wee turne those 
things to mischeifes, which are given to vs for our good 
&c." In this style she goes on, and could a Seneca, or 
an Antoninus, or indeed the wisest and holyest person 
have vttered [aught] more divine and piously serious : 
nor did she say this only, butt she practis'd it : for with 
what devout and solemne preparations pass'd the rest 
of this fatali month ! Haveing received the blessed 
sacrament butt two dayes before she was brought to 
bedd, soe preventing all possible surprizes, and waiteing 
now with her wonted alacritye and resignation the ap- 
proach of the conflict she was to enter vpon, she on 
the second of September, began first to be sensible of 
some alteration in her temper, and dureing that night 
it was concluded it might be her labour, and soe it was. 
With what exceeding patience, devotion, and courage 
she sustain'd it, your Lady shipp, who was all the tyme 
assisting, with both those excellent sisters, can best tell. 



MRS. G0D0LPH1N. 77 



Itt was then on Tuesday the third of that vnfortu- 
nate Month, when comeing about 11 a clock in the 
forenoone as my custome was, to visitt her and ask of 
her health, that I found she was in Travell ; and you 
may easyly imagine how extreamly I was concern'd, 
not to stirr from the house till I had some assureance 
that all succeeded well. And indeed to all appearance 
soe it did. For it pleas'd God that within an hour, 
your Ladyshipp brought me the joyfull tydeings of a 
Man Child born into the world, and a very little after 
admitted me to see and bless that lovely Babe by the 
Mothers side ; when the very first word she spake to 
me was, I hope you have given thanks to God for his 
infinite mercy to me ; O with what satisfaction, with 
what joy and over rapture did I hear her pronounce it, 
with what satisfaction and pleasure did I see the Mother 
safe, and her desire accomplished, without any accident 
that could give the least vmbrage or suspicion of ap- 
proaching danger, soe as me thought of nothing more 
than rejoyceing and praiseing God, augureing a thou- 
sand benedictions. 

In this faire and hopefull condition she continued 
all that day, when her husband, now att Windsor with 
the Court, being sent for to come to double and corn- 
pleat the Joy, upon the Thursday following, his little 
Son was made a Christian, [his name Francis] in pre- 
sence of both the parents ; his Vnkle Sir William Go- 
dolphyn, Mr. Harvey, Treasurer to her Majestye, and 
Lady Berkley being susceptors; the Chaplaines who 
constantly vsed to say prayers in the family performe- 
ing the office. 



78 THE LIFE OF 



Seeing this dear Lady soe well layd, the Child bap- 
tized, and every thing in a hopefull way, my wife, who 
was now to visitt her, and I, return'd home, as full of 
joy and satisfaction as wee could be, for the best and 
most estimable friend wee had in the world ; butt ah, 
how were wee both surprized, when on the Sunday 



following there was a Letter delivered me in the Church, 
about the latter end of the Morning Sermon, in this 
dolefull style. 

" My poore wife is fallen very ill of a fTevor, with 
lightness in her head. You know who sayes the 
prayer of the faithfull shall save the sick ; I humbly 
begg your charitable prayers, for this poore creature 
and your distracted servant. London : Saturday, 9 a 
clock." 

O how was I struck through, as with a dart. I am 
not able to tell your Ladyshipp with how sad and ap- 
prehensive thoughts my wife and I hastned imediately 
to Whitehall ; where wee found her in all the circum- 
stances of danger ; and tho' distinctly knowing those 
who came to visitt and were about her, yett had the 
distemper allready soe farr prevailed on her spiritts, that 
it was a sad and mournfull thing to find how her fancy 
and vsuall temper was disorder'd. To all this, the 
season happen'd to prove excessively hott, which ex- 
ceedingly contributed to her suffering. There had 
been, when I came, butt one physitian sent for ; butt 
my wife, suspecting (with others) that this violent sur- 
prize could not likely proceed from either the intem- 
perance of the weather or impaire of one, soe well laid 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 79 



as to all appearance as she was, butt possibly from ac- 
cident, itt was thought advisable to call an experienc'd 
person in cases of this nature. Butt itt was soe very- 
long ere the doctor could be found, and soe late ere he 
came, that through the frequency and violence of her 
fitts, which were now delirious, her spiritts were soe 
farr wasted, that tho' he were of the same opinion, and 
that something was omitted, yett would he by no in- 
treaty be perswaded to apply any thing but in conjunc- 
tion with other phisityans. Doctor Lowther being 
call'd away some houres before, and besides it being 
now farr in the night, itt was with exterordinary difi- 
culty that I gott my antient dear and religious friend, 
Doctor Needham, since with God, and then but valetu- 
dinarye himselfe, to come. Others who were sent for, 
wearyed as they pretended with toyle, would not be pre- 
vailed with to rise, except Doctor Short ; soe as till now, 
there had been little attempted ; nor any thing even by 
these with any assureance, so farr she was spent, and 
her condition not admitting of proper remedyes for 
what they feared, gave slender hopes of success. The 
Deliriums increase, and allbeit with some promise and 
intermissions, to appearance, yett were they only such 
as proceeded from languor and tiredness ; soe that tho' 
she still retained her memory of the persons about her, 
what she said was altogeather inconsistent, and grow- 
ing more impetuous and deplorable, gave presage of 
uttmost danger. This only was highly remarkeable, 
that in all this disorder of fancy and allmost distraction, 
she vttered not one syllable or expression that might in 
the least offend God, or any creature about her ; a thing 
which dureing these alienations of mind does seldome 



80 



THE LIFE OF 



happen ; butt which shewed how blessed a thing it was 
to live holylye and carefully, as this Innocent did ; 
persons that are delirious vsually vttering extra vigan- 
cyes that discover their worst inclinations. Butt she 
was now in a manner spent, and no't could physitians 
doe, when neither the cupping nor the pidgeons, those 
last of remedies, wrought any effect. Other things had 
been perhapps convenient ; butt there was noe strength 
to bear inward remedyes, when even the most gentle 
had been fatall ; and there now appearing a kind of 
Erisypulus on her back, neck, and armes, the malig- 
nancy grew desperate, — and this excellent Creature 
passes a fiery Triall, exercised in all the circumstances 
of paine and weary ness. Wee beheld her now lan- 
guishing vnder the last conflicts till the morning of the 
next day. There had been, your Ladyshipp knows, a 
consultation the night before, and a resolution of at- 
tempting searching att a venture, if she lived till day, 
and the rather that the physitians might not seeme to 
doe nothing in a desperate case, than expecting any 
good effect without a miracle. Butt when the morning 
came, finding her still more debilitated, and the parox- 
ysmes impetuous and allmost vncessant, all hopes 
being given over, vpon the importunitye and recomen- 
dation of that excellent and pious lady, the Viscountess 
Mordant, they permitted one Doctor Ffaber to make 
try all of a Cordiall, celebrated by her Ladyshipp for 
the great matter it had performed, and indeed it seem'd 
att first to compose her, and somewhat allay the vio- 
lence of her fitts. Butt the moments were short, and 
her conflict is repeated with the vsuali violence ; till 
she who was wont to raise her selfe vp as oft as they 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 81 



came, now sinkes downe as no more able to sustaine 
them : her spiritts faint : till no more pulse perceivable, 
— for your Ladyshipp and I held her all this while by 
the hands, — with the most ardent prayers and offices of 
the holy Man, who continually attended, he earnestly, 
and wee all devoutly recomend, and she quietly renders 
vp her happy soule to her blessed Redeemer, in whose 
bosome she is now deliver'd from all earthly miseryes, 
and assumed into those blissfull Mansions prepared for 
his Saints, and such as like her excellent in virtue. 

Thus ended this incomparable Lady : our never to 
be sufficiently lamented losse : leaveing not only a dis- 
consolate husband, whose vnexpressible griefe and 
deep affliction would hardly suffer him to be a spec- 
tator of her languishments, drown'd in tears and pros- 
trate att the mercy seate, butt all her Relations, and 
who had the honour to know her in as much reall and 
pungent sorrow as Christians and tender hearts were 
capable to express, and as was highly due for soe sen- 
cible and vniversall a^loss, and soe infinitely deplor'd. 

This fatall houre was (your Ladyshipp knows) 
about one o'clock, att noone on the Munday, Septem- 
ber the nineth, 1678, in the 25 year and prime of 
her age. O vnparalell'd loss ! O griefe indicible ! By 
me never to be forgotten — never to be overcome ! Nor 
pass I the sad anniversary and lugubruous period, 
without the most sencible emotions, sorrow that draws 
tears from my very heart whilst I am reciteing it. 

Butt thus she pass'd to a better World, when only 



82 THE LIFE OF 



worthy of her, when as if presageing what was att 
hand, she that very day seavenight (as I noted) fur- 
nish'd herselfe with the heavenly Viaticum, after an 
extordinary preparation, preventing the possible dissad- 
vantages of what might surprize her spiritts and dis- 
order her recollection with a most pious and heavenly 
address. Nor was this taken notice of onely by those 
who were witnesses of it some dayes before she was 
brought to bedd, but signally appeared in that paper 
which she had left in the hands of her indear'd Sister 
in law Mistress Boscawen, to deliver her Husband, in 
case of mortall accident, which soe soone as it was 
possible to compose his and the vniversall grief to any 
temper, was performed. 

"My deare, not knowing how God Allmighty may 
deale with me, I think it my best course to settle my 
affaires, soe as that, in case I be to leave this world, 
noe earthly thing may take vp my thoughts. In the 
first place, my dear, beleive me, that of all earthly 
things you were and are the most dear to me ; and I 
am convinced that nobody ever had a better or halfe 
soe good a husband. I begg your pardon for all my 
Imperfections, which I am sencible were many ; but 
such as I could help, I did endeavour to subdue, that 
they might not trouble you : for those defects which I 
could not rectifye in myselfe, as want of judgement in 
the management of my family and household affaires, 
which I owne myselfe to be very defective in, I hope 
your good nature will excuse, and not remember to my 
disadvantage when I am gone. I ask your pardon for 
the vanitye of my humour, and for being often [more] 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 83 



melancholy and splenetick than I had cause to be. I 
was allwayes ashamed of myselfe when I was soe. and 
sorry for it, and I hope it will come into the number of 
those faults which I could not help. Now (my dear) 
God be with thee ; pray God bless you, and keepe you 
his faithfull Servant for ever. In him be all thy joy 
and delight, satisfaction and comfort, and doe not grieve 
too much for me, since I hope I shall be happy, being 
very much resign'd to God's will, and leaveing this 
World with, I hope, in Christ Jesus, a good Conscience. 
Now, my dear, if you please, permitt me to ask leave 
to bestow a legacy or two amongst my friends and 
servants. In the first place, if it might be, I could 
wish, when the Child I goe with grows of a fitt bigg- 
ness, itt might be either with my sister Boscawen, or 
my sister Penn, for I know they will be carefull of its 
better Part, which is the cheife thing I am concern'd 

about. In the next place, I desire you would give B 

[her woman] one hundred pounds (the vse of which 
being six pounds a year, she may live att her Ffather's 
house vpon, if she will, for I fear she will scarce gett 
any one to bear with her want of good service, as I 
have done). For my Maid, if she doe not marry, I 
hope she will be kept to looke after my Child, when it 
comes from Nurse. In the meane tyme, you will give 
her board wages. For my two footemen, I hope you 
will gett them places as soone as you can, etc. How- 
ever, if you be not disposed to keepe them, you will 
give them att parting ten pounds a piece. I desire you 
will give my Sisters my share of the Queen's Lease, 
fifty pounds a year ; itt is betweene them two, my vn- 
marryed ones I meane ; and to my Cozen Sarah an 



84 THE LIFE OF 

hundred pounds in mony. To my Lady Silvius my 
great diamond ring, &c. 

" Now, my dear, I have done, if you please to lay 
out about an hundred pounds more in rings for your 
five Sisters, to remember me by. I know nothing more 
I have to desire of you, but that you will sometymes 
think of me with kindness, butt never with too much 
griefe. For my Funerall, I desire there may be noe 
cost bestowed vpon it att all ; butt if I might, I would 
begg that my body might lye where I have had such a 
mind to goe myselfe, att Godolphyn, among your 
freinds. I beleive, if I were carried by Sea, the ex- 
pence would not be very great ; but I don't insist vpon 
that place, if you think it not reasonable ; lay me where 
you please. 

" Pray, my deare, be kind to that poore Child I leave 
behind, for my sake, who lov'd you soe well ; butt I 
need not bidd you, I know you will be soe. If you 
should think fitt to marry againe, I humbly begg that 
little fortune I brought, may be first settled vpon my 
Child, and that as long as any of your Sisters live, you 
will lett it (if they permitt) live with them, for it may 
be, tho' you will love itt, my successor will not be soe 
fond of it, as they I am sure will be. 

" Now, my deare Child, farewell; the peace of God, 
which passeth all vnderstanding, keepe your heart and 
mind in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord ; and the blessing of God All- 
mighty, the Father, the Sonn, and the Holy Gost, be 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 85 



with thee, and remaine with thee, ever and ever. 

Amen." 

Then follows what she had intrusted me withall. 

This indearing Instance of a truely loyall and ad- 
mirable Wife were capable of the most noble reflections, 
soe religious, so tender, soe discreete, and every way 
becomeing. That she accuses herselfe of, being some- 
tymes more solemne than vsualiy young Ladyes are, 
and which she calls the Spleen, I can by noe meanes 
admitt a fault : and if her other imperfections, of which 
she beggs pardon, were butt such as her want of oecono- 
mique prudence in the management of her family, I dare 
pronounce her the most consummate of all the perfec- 
tions that can adorne or recomend her sex. 

I say nothing of that wonderfull affection to her 
Husband, that made her soe desireous to mingle her 
dirt with his in a dormitorye 300 miles from the rest of 
all her Relations, and where to my knowledge she 
would more contentedly have pass'd all her dayes with 
him then amidst the splendor of the greatest Court, and 
where he might be the Horizon, all that she could or 
cared to see. 

The education of her dear Child is next : Observe 
with what care for the better Part, with what excellent 
choice for the person to whome she recomended it. 
Nor does she extend her kindness only to her Relations, 
butt the meanest of her Servants. As for the Poore, she 
had not onely sent those good workes before her, which 



86 THE LIFE OF 



she now enjoyes the treasure and reward of in Heaven, 
butt tooke order they might be continued after her, and 
she being dead yett speakes. 

I might haply have taken it vnkindly, if she had 
named so much as a brother, and left me out ; butt the 
Legatyes she bequeathed, or rather desired her Hus- 
band to gratifye her in, were only to her Sisters and 
your Ladyshipp, except what she bestows among her 
Domestick ; to one of which she gave noe less than 
an hundred pounds, and to herowne Sisters the vallue 
of a thousand ; lastly, to me the honour (att the foote 
of this Paper) of being mentioned the depositarye of 
her Trust as I was the distributer of her Bounty. Butt 
which was more obligeing, the solemn profession to her 
Husband, a little before her Sickness, that she knew of 
nothing more she had to finish or wish for in this 
World, but that she might doe me some signall kind- 
ness. I confess she had often both said and written 
soe to me, butt that she should think of it as a Con- 
cerne doubly indeares her memory. This (sayes that 
excellent Creature) she has left me to doe, and Madam, 
he has done it, in allowing me the honour of his friend- 
shipp, and accepting my little services ; for the rest, I 
have her Picture in the house, and the Idea of her vir- 
tues in my heart, besides a thousand expressions of a 
religious and noble Friendshipp, vnder her owne fair 
hand, which I preserve and value above all she could 
else bequeath me. 

There was another small Pacquett seal'd vp, which 
she desired by the superscription might be burnt, and 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 87 



not open'd, as accordingly it was perform'd, and, as I 
conceive, contained the Cypher onely by which she 
vsually corresponded with her ghostly Father, the 
Deane of Hereford ; or some particulars, which she 
would not trust her memory with, in case she had lived, 
for as I accquainted your Ladyshipp, she kept a Cata- 
logue of mercyes, deliverances, successes, resolutions, 
and other assistances, for the disscussion of her Con- 
science with the most accurate niceness. Butt I enter 
not into this secrett. 

Thus began, lived, and ended this incomparable 
Christian, Virgin, Wife, and Friend, for an emulous ex- 
ample of perfection in all those capacityes. Butt after 
all I have said, impossible will it be to conceive what 
she was, without endeavouring to imitate and attaine 
those excellencyes and early virtues which made her 
what she was : to shew you that — , something I have 
here attempted according to my poore ability ; butt he 
were a rare Artist indeed could reach the orriginall, and 
give those last and liveing touches which should make 
it breathe. But, Madam, this is not to be expressed by 
lights and shadows which is alltogeather illustrious, 
and has nothing in it darke. 

Here, then, Madam, after I have recounted to you 
her Life, — butt which reaches the profill onely, and 
wants a world of finishing, — I should, according to the 
vsuall method, conclude it with her Character, if that 
accomplished peice were not reserved for a greater 
Master, and one that could describe her mind. All I 
can pretend to, will hardly reach the out strokes, and 



88 THE LIFE OF 



when I shall have done my best, be butt an imperfect 
coppy. 

Add this paper (Electra) to the fardle of my other 
Impertinencyes ; butt take heed to the stepps and pro- 
gress you make, for if I live, I will write your life, att 
least from the first approaches of our friendshipp, till I 
carry it into other Mansions. But because your great 
humility shall not suffer by the admirable things I 
must say of you, nor the brightness of the Subject be 
ecclipsed by the defects of the Instrument, it shall be 
vnder supposed names, but in veritable instances ; for 
either wee want such examples for good writers to ex- 
ercise their style and talents on, or good writers to 
transmitt them to posteritye. 

I know not really how she could doe the age wee 
live in more Justice, nor leave that to come a nobler 
monument of Gratitude for the Improvements your 
Conversation has taught it ; whilst Electra knows this, 
she will need noe Socrates or Zeno to stand before her ; 
she reveres herselfe, and can doe nothing below her 
dignitye. I protest to you, the thought that she is all- 
wayes present, and contemplation of her vertues, is 
more to me than a thousand dead philosophers. But 
wee have a better monitor, and it were an imbecility 
infinitely beneath us, to need the veneration of men, 
when God, — all Eare and Eye, omniscient and omni- 
present, — observes both our words and actions. Lett 
us both, therefore, soe speak with God as if men heard 
us, and soe converse with men as if God saw us. 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 89 



Behold, Madam, what I once subscribed at the 
foote of a Letter to this blessed Creature ; and often she 
would smile at what I used to repeate upon this sub- 
ject, and as often did I disbeleive my selfe. Far, very- 
far was it from my imagination, farther, infinitely farther 
from my desires, to survive (for) this office, who had it 
constantly in my wishes, that she might close my 
eyes ; butt soe it has pleased God, that I should verifye 
my prophecy, and on your Ladyshipp's command, ab- 
solve my promise together. I have written her Life, and 
should nowpresent your Ladyshipp with her Picture : 
here are Colours, but where is (as I said) the Master ? 
She sat indeed some considerable tyme to me, and 
her conversation had been enough to inspire an Artist ; 
but I assure you, there are some peculiar Graces, which 
the most skillful doe not arrive to in their most ela- 
borate and finished peeces. And she was full of those, 
and such as I never yet did see in any of her sex but in 
her alone, and am certaine never shall, vnless it be in 
those few peeces she drew her selfe, whereof your Lady- 
shipp is a breathing and illustrious one, whilst you 
tread the pathes of her piety and virtues ; this, Madam, 
I pretend to know, and to shew you from whome I take 
my measures. 



The Picture. 

Lett me first then recall to your Ladyshipps remem- 
brance how she usually passed the day, for an instance 
allmost inimitable in the station where she was, the 
Court. I will begin with Sunday the first of the weeke. 



90 THE LIFE OF 



Were it never soe darke, wett, or uncomfortable 
weather, dureing the severity of winter, she would 
rarely omit being att the Chappell att 7 a'clock pray- 
ers, and if a Comunion day, how late soever her attend- 
ance were on the Queen, and her owne exterordinary 
preparation kept her up, she would be dressed and att 
her private Devotions some hours before the publick 
office began. This brings to remembrance what I could 
not then but smile att, that finding one day a long 
pack thread passing through the key hole of her cham- 
ber doore, and reaching to her bed's head, opposite to 
that of your sisters, if I be not mistaken, and inquireing 
what it signifyed, I att last vnderstood, itt had been to 
awaken her early in the morning, the Centinell, whose 
station was of course near the entrance, being desired to 
pull it very hard att such an hour, whilst the other ex- 
tream was tyed fast about her wrist, fearing her maid 
might over sleep her selfe, or call her later then she had 
appointed. 

But besides the monthly Comunions, she rarely 
missed a Sunday throughout the whole Year, wherein 
she did not receive the holy Sacrament, if she were in 
towne and tollerable health ; and I well know she had 
those who gave her constant advertisement where it 
was celebrated vpon some more solemn festivals, be- 
sides not seldome on the weeke days assisting at one 
poore creatures or other ; and when sometymes, being 
in the Country, or on a Journey, she had not these op- 
pertunityes, she made use of a devout meditation upon 
that sacred Mistery, by way of mentall Comunion, soe 
as she was in a continual! state of preparation ; and O 



MRS. G0D0LPH1N. 91 



with what unspeakable care and nicenessdid she use 
to dress and trim her soul against this Heavenly Ban- 
quett, with what flagrant devotion at the Alter. I doe 
assure your Ladyshipp, I have seen her receive the 
holy symbolls, with such an humble and melting joy in 
her countenance, as seem'd to be something of trans- 
port, not to say angelic — something I cannot describe : 
and she has her selfe confessed to me to have felt in 
her soule such influxes of heavenly Joy as have all- 
most carryed her into another world ; I doe not call 
them Rapts and Elapses, because she would not have 
endured to be esteemed above other humble Christians ; 
butt that she was sometymes visitted with exterordina- 
ry favours I have many reasons to believe : see what 
upon another occasion she writes to me. 

" O, my friend, how happy was I on Sunday last. 
By reason of this foolish play," (of which I have all- 
ready given your Ladyshipp an account,) " most im- 
perfect were my preparations, and yett I doe not remem- 
ber that God was ever more gratious to me but once 
afore ; and indeed that tyme I had soe great a sence of 
my owneunworthyness and the wonderfull condescen- 
tion and love of God, that I had like to have fallen flat 
on my face ; butt that except this was the most refresh- 
ing. O Jesus, (said I,) how happy are wee, how bless- 
ed, that have the Lord for our God. And you, blessed 
Angells, who are present att these assemblyes, admire- 
ing the heavenly bounty, I tell you 1 was even dissolv- 
ed with love to God. And yett, after all this, what 
wretched things we are : I was drowsy att Church, 
wandering in my thoughts, and forgettfull of these 



92 THE LIFE OF 



favours that very day ; and great cause I had to lament 
my sinnsof even that day. Thus I acknowledged to 
you Gods love to my poore soule, and my foule ingrati- 
tude to him ; that you may pray for the continuance of 
the one, and I trust the other will in tyme grow less." 
See this humble soule. But I subjoyne one more. 

" I bless God," (says she,) " I grow dayly less fond 
of the world, more thankfull to God, less solicitous for 
outward things, and more thirsty for the blessed Sacra- 
ment, not as I was wont, nor because I hold it my duty, 
but out of an ardent desire to commemorate my Sa- 
viour's death, and to be againe entertained with the 
wonderfull pleasure that I feele there, and noe where 
else. All worldly joyes, all splendid ornaments, titles 
and honour, would I bring to the feete of my crucifyed 
Saviour." 

Nor did this blessed Saint hear the word of God 
with less reverence ; imploying that day almost intire- 
ly in pious meditations, and never failing to recollect 
what she had heard, with that diligence, that there was 
not a Sermon but what she had abstracted, writeing 
downe the principall heads of the whole discourse, soe 
soone as she came from Church (if she had leasure), 
or, to be sure, in the evening ere she slept ; and this 
course she never omitted, nor to repeat what she ob- 
served of most instructive : and her memory was soe 
happy, as nothing materiall escaped her. This, to my 
astonishment, I can testifye. 

How would this Lady rejoyce att the approach of 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 93 



the Lord's day. She has often told me, she felt anoth- 
er soule in her, and that there was nothing more afflicted 
her, than those impertinent visitts on Sunday Evenings, 
which she avoided with all imaginable industry ; whilst 
yett seldome did she pass one without goeing to visitt, 
pray by, or instruct some poore religious Creature or 
other, tho' it were to the remotest part of the Towne, 
and sometymes, if the season were inviteing, walke 
into the fields or Gardens to contemplate the workes of 
God. In a word, she was allwayes so solemnly chear- 
full upon that day, and soe devout, that without looke- 
ing into the Kalender, one might have read it in her 
countenance. Thus was the Sunday taken up in 
prayers, hearing, receiveing, meditateing on the word 
and workes of God, acts of Charity, and other holy 
exercises, without the least formalitye or confusion, be- 
cause she had cast all her arTairs into such a method, 
as rendered it delightful! as well as holy. 

Vpon festivall dayes, she never omitted the offices 
of the Church ; takeing those opportunityes of visitt- 
ing poore sick people, relieveing and comforting them ; 
and then would lengthen her evening retirements with 
proper meditations on the Mystery, or comemoration ; 
for which she had of her owne collection, apposite en- 
tertainments : butt then upon indicted fast dayes, besides 
what she weekly sett apart her selfe, and (especially 
before the Monthly Comunions) how exterordinary 
were her recesses and devotions one very Friday, when 
she rarely stirr'd out of her little Oratorye butt to pub- 
lique prayers, and then would end the evenings in vis- 
itts of charity ; and did for severall years observe the 



94 THE LIFE OF 



Lent with strictness, both as to her reflections and de- 
votion, till finding it much impaire her health and deli- 
cate constitution, something of those severe mortifica- 
tions, she was perswaded to abate ; onely the holy 
weeke her exercises was extended to all the parts of 
duty, and more solemn preparation, spent in an unin- 
terrupted course of penitentiall and exterordnary devo- 
tion, yett without superstitious usages, or the least 
morossness. 

Vpon such Anniversaryes, she would be early att 
the Chappell, and sometymes I have knowne her shutt 
vp in the Church after the publick offices have been 
ended, without returneing to her Chamber att all, to 
prevent impertinent visitts and avocations, and that she 
might spend the day in continuall devotion. With 
these austerityes passed she the dayes of abstinence ; 
nay, though it fell vpon a festivall, and when others 
thought themselv's att liberty. This recalls to me an 
answer which she once returned me, kindly reproveing 
her for a severity on a certaine holy day. 

"As to fasting on a festivall," (sayes she,) "I had 
not done it, butt that 1 had for it the opinion of a learned 
and reverend Bishopp, who told me it was not a fasting 
day of our owne makeing ; wee might, when a fast and 
a feast of the Church meete, feast att Church and fast 
att home ; which I did, and it was a good day with 
me : I could be content never to dyne soe long as I live, 
soe as I might spend every day like that." 

By this your Ladyshipp may see how well advised 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 95 



she was in all she did, and what exterordnary gust and 
satisfaction she received in her devout intercourses. 

Butt the truth is, not onely did she fast on dayes of 
Indiction, and such as the Church enjoynes : every 
meale was a day of abstinence with her, for as she 
seldome eate of above one or two dishes, where there 
were great plenty, soe very rarely would she have any 
sauces, and commonly chose the dryest and leanest 
morsells ; and frequently have I knowne her deny her 
appetite things which I am certaine she lov'd, soe as I 
have made it now and then a little quarrel], for treating 
her selfe no better, considering her tender fabrick, early 
riseing, tedious and late watchings, laborious devotions, 
and not seldome even to fainting in her retirements. 
Butt she would tell me smileingly, that she was as 
strong as a lyon ; and though I manifestly perceived 
the contrary, both by her countenance and other cir- 
cumstances, that these austerityes did her injury, she 
would disguise it with an industry soe naturall, and 
putt such life and chearfullness into her lookes and 
mine, as has made me call to mind what wee read of 
Daniell and his companions, (Dan. i,) who after their 
asscetick foode, looked fairer and in better point then 
all the rest who eat of the Royall portion. " I can be 
fatt," (she would tell me,) " in three dayes when I will." 

I forgott to remember your Ladyshipp, of her im- 
ploying most part of Lent in workeing for poore people ; 
cutting out and makeing waistcoates and other ne- 
cessary coverings, which she constantly distributed 
amongst them, like another Dorcas, spending much of 



96 THE LIFE OF 



her tyme, and no little of her money, in relieving, vis- 
itting, and enquireing of them ont. And whilst she 
was thus busy with her needle, she would commonly 
have one or other read by her, through which means, 
and a happy memory, she had allmost the whole Scrip- 
tures by heart, and was soe versed in Doctor Ham- 
mond's Annotations and other practicall bookes, Con- 
troversyes, and Cases, as might have stocked some who 
pass for noe small Divines ; not to mention sundry 
divine penitentiall and other Hymns, breathing of a 
Spiritt of holyness, and such as shew'd the tenderness 
of her heart, and wonderfull love to God. 

Thus spent she the Sunday, feasts, or fasts ; nor 
were the exterordnary weeke dayes other than Sun- 
dayes with her when none came to interrupt her course, 
which in some particulars was constant and uninter- 
mitted. For the Sun had not yett drawne the Curtaines 
of his purple bed, whose riseing she oft prevented, and 
even sometymes the Morning watch, when this holy 
Virgin, wakeing, after a short Ejaculation to the Fa- 
ther of lights for the refreshment she had received, thus 
excites herselfe, — 

" Up and be doeing, sleepe no more ; 
Hark ! who is knocking att the doore ? 
Arise, my fair e o?ie, come away ; 
For thee I waite : arise, and pray. 
Shake off thy Sleepe ; behold, His I! 
Canst thou love that, when I am by ? 
Vaine thoughts, presume not to come near, 
YouH find no entertainments here ; 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 97 



My Love has sworne — her vows are past — 
That I shall be her first and last. 
Rise then, my dearest, come and see 
What pleasureas are reserved for thee. 
I come, dear Lord. Behold I rise. 
Thee, I beyond all pleasures prize." 

Doe not imagine I am pursueing a romance, or in 
a rapture myselfe, whilst I call her up with this angel- 
ick Hymne, since I can assure your Ladyshipp 'tis 
butt what I find under her owne hand, and amongst 
those devout transports and composures of hers, which 
I am certaine were her owne : and when she was in 
health she would be call'd whilst it was yett darke, to 
seeke her Lord, like those holy women that went 
early to the Sepulcher. 

Noe sooner was she descended from her bed, but 
she fell on her knees in profound adoration ; and all 
the time of her dressing, — which for the most part she 
finish'd of her selfe without other help, — her mayd was 
reading some part of Scripture to her, and when her 
assistance was necessary, she would take the booke 
herselfe, and read to her maid; thus continually im- 
ploy'd she her meditations, till she was fully dress'd ; 
which she would be in a very little tyme, even to all 
the agreeable circumstances becomeing her, because 
indeed she became every thing, and this early riseing 
and little indulgence to her ease, made her looke like a 
flower, lovely, and fresh, and full of health : being in 
this posture, she withdrew to private devotion in her 
closett, till her servant advertised her it was tyme to 

6 



98 THE LIFE OF 



goe to the Chappell, where she was ever with the first 
of the devout sex, were it never soe wett, cold, and 
darke, even before day breake, in midst of winter. 

Returned from Chappell, she wonld shtitt her selfe 
upp in her little Oratorye againe, where, till the 
Q,ueene reqnir'd her attendance, (for now I describe 
her as she was att Court,) she was either imployed in 
reading some holy booke, or getting some Chapter or 
Psalmes by heart, such as she had collected abundance 
of the most edifyeing ; neither omitted she to pray con- 
stantly with her small family, which she tooke great 
care to instruct upon all occasions. Nor did her fore- 
noone devotion determine here; she not seldome 
might be found in the Chappell at ten a'Clock in the 
longer office. Nay, and I have sometymes mett her 
above in his Majesty es little oratorye before dinner, if 
conveniently she could slipp away from the mixt Com- 
pany of the withdrawing Roome, whilst the Giueene 
satt out ; and this she did, not out of singularity or 
superstitious devotion, or that she thought herselfe 
obliged to it, butt (as she has told me) to avoid occa- 
sions of idle and impertinent discourse, which was all- 
most unavoidable in the Ante-Chambers. 

Soe soone as her Majestye had dyned, (if it were 
her duty and turne to wayte,) and that she had alsoe 
taken her repast, if she owed no formal 1 visitts, or 
were not interrupted by others, she usually spent the 
afternoone in workeing with her needle, which was 
comonly (butt espetially, as I noted, in Lent tyme 7 ) 
makeing Coates and Garments for poore people, and 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 99 

sometymes for great and rich, for there was nothing but 
[what] her delicate fingers could doe, and she had an 
Invention and fancey soe elegant and pretty, that when 
there was any thing exterordinary to be done in suite- 
ing Ornaments and adjusting Ladyes' matters att 
Court, tho' she affected none of this her selfe, happy 
was the most illustrious of the Circle, [who] could have 
her to dress and sett them out. 

She was sometymes engaged to pass the after dy li- 
ner att Cards, especially when she came to Berkley 
House, (where was great resort,) more to comply with 
others, than that she tooke the least delight in it ; and 
tho' being comonly extreamly fortunate, and very skill- 
full, she comonly rose a winner, and allwayes reserved 
her winnings for the poore, itt was yett amongst the 
greatest afflictions of her life, when, to comply with 
some persons of Quality e, she satt any thing long att 
itt. How many sad complaints has she made to me of 
this particular : I tell you she looked on it as a Calamity 
and subjection insupportable. But neither did this nor 
any other consideration detaine her from being present 
att publick prayers att 3 or 4 a'clock, for she would 
then break off, and happ'ly take that opportunity^ of 
makeing some visitt, if she had any to pay. 

She had her houres also for reading historye and 
diversions of that nature ; but allwayes such as were 
choice, profittable, and instructive, and she had de- 
voured an incredible deale of that solid knowledge, and 
could accompt of it to admiration ; soe as I have even 
beene astonished to find such an heape of excellent 



100 THE LIFE OF 



things and materiall observations collected and written 
with her owne hand, many of which (since her being 
with God) came to myne, for besides a world of ad- 
mirable prayers and pieces of flagrant devotion, medi- 
tations, and discourses on various subjects, (which she 
compos'd) there was hardly a booke she read that she 
had not common placed, as it were, or taken some re- 
markable note of ; add this to the Diary of her owne 
life, actions, resolutions, and other circumstances, of 
which I shall give some specimen. She had con- 
tracted the intire historye of the Scriptures, and the 
most illustrious examples, sentences, and precepts, di- 
gested under apposite and proper heads ; and collected 
togeather the result of every Article of the Apostles' 
Creed, out of Bishopp Pearson's excellent Treatise. I 
have allready spoken of her Sermon Notes ; butt to 
give a just Account of her Letters, they are soe many 
and in so excellent naturall and easy a style, that as 
for their number, one would beleive she did nothing 
else butt write, soe for their weight and ingenuity, that 
she ought to doe nothing else ; and so easily did her 
Invention flow, that I have seene her write a very long 
letter without once takeing off her penn (butt to dipp 
it), and that with exterordnary Judgment ; they were 
cogent, pathetick, and obliging, and allwayes about 
doeing some kind office or Religions Correspondence. 
Nor less was she indefatigable in reading ; seldome 
stirring abroad without some good booke about her, 
that if by any accident she were to attend or be alone, 
she might lose no tyme ; and indeed the tone of her 
voice (when she read to others) was soe suited to all 
the passions and figures either of reading or discourse, 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 101 



that there was nothing more charmeing then to heare 
her recite with such a Spiritt and Judgment as the pe- 
riods fell. 'Tis hardly to be imagined, the talent she 
peculiarly had in repeating a comicall part or acting it, 
when in a chearfull humour and amongst some par- 
ticular friends, she would sometymes divert them ; 
and I have heard her pronounce a Sermon in French 
which she had heard preached by a fryar in Paris 
vpon the profession of a Nun, att which she was pre- 
sent, that really surprized me. Those who had ob- 
serv'd the fantastick motion of those Zealotts in the 
pulpitt would have seen in this Lady's action, inven- 
tion, and preachment, the prettiest and most innocent 
Mimick in the World, and have reahy beleived it had 
been the Enthusiast himselfe, hutt for his frock and 
face, that had inspired her: certainely she was the 
most harmeless and diverting Creature in nature. 
Butt as her witt was infinite, and in Conversation far 
superior to any of her sex, soe to curb it, had she such 
perpetuall apprehensions of God's omnipresence, that 
she industriously suppressed it. I could tell your La- 
dyshipp of some artificial helps she used, to keep her 
allwayes in mind of it : thus she would pin up some 
papers, as it were negligently, in places where she 
most frequently used to be, with some Character in it, 
or halfe word, that signifyed to her some particular 
duty or Caution ; and though I never came to know 
this from her selfe, yett hy some observations which I 
made, I am confident of what I say. Butt this she did 
to curb and restraine (I said) her sprightfull witt in 
perfect humility, and out of feare and tenderness lest 
she misht offend ; tho' never was Creature more dis- 



102 THE LIFE OF 



creetly reserv'd, or that better vnderstood when and 
what it was fitt to speak and entertaine her friends. 

To preserve her selfe then in this humble temper, 
and assist her more minute Confessions, she kept (as I 
have hinted) an account of her actions and resolutions, 
as since her decease I find. In this it was she sett 
downe her Infirmityes she laboured vnder, what de- 
liverances she had from danger, what favour received, 
what Methods she resolved to take for the imployment 
of her tyme, and obligations laid vpon her selfe to per- 
forme what she soe resolved, which doubtless was a 
Course to keep her close to duty, as well as the fre- 
quent Counsells of her Ghostly father upon all difficul- 
tyes by the constant Intercourse of Letters, soe as she 
[was] seldome in suspence. what she ought to doe 
upon any difficulty which might concerne her : and 
this infinitely contributed to the Chearfullness of her 
Spiritts and interior peace ; she was really soe afraid 
that others should think too well of her, that she has 
sometymes bitterly accused herselfe, and was wont to 
send me an anniversary account of her faileings and 
Infirmityes, in which God knows there were very few, 
with a gratefnll remembrance to God of her Improve- 
ments, which I knew to be much greater than she 
would acknowledge, desireing both advice and prayers 
for her. 

As the Morning, soe in the Evening, itt was even in 
some exterordinary and indispensable buisness which 
att any tyme hindered her from the Church office, which 
if she missed att three a'clock, she would be sure to 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 103 



find att six, whether she were abroad or att home ; and 
after that as constantly retired some competent tyme 
before Supper for recollection, Reading and private de- 
votion ; and would sometymes walk abroad to con- 
template the workes of God, for which she was furnish 
with proper meditations, which she could extend out 
of her owne stock, as I can witness, to my singular 
edification and no small admiration ; there was really 
nothing she cast her Eye upon, butt instead of imperti- 
nent wandring she would derive some holy use from. 

" I wish you here betymes," (one day writeing to 
me,) u that wee may walk together. I fancy I could 
talk of God for ever ; and, indeed, what else can wee 
speake of butt our God, of whome wee never can say 
enough : ; ' for Tuesday being vsually the day I visitted 
her of course, whether wee walked into the Gardens, 
the fields, or within doores, the most agreeable conver- 
sation to her, was the contemplation of the workes of 
God ; [or] the contriveing how to bring about some 
charitable office ; and as she was strangely happy in 
composing differences, soe was she of soe lucky address 
and universally beloved, that what she undertooke she 
seldome failed of accomplishing. Generous as she was, 
and soe obligeing to her freinds, there hardly passed a 
day in which she had not done some signall kindness : 
nor disdained she the meanest Circumstances, soe she 
might doe good ; not to omitt how resolute she was in 
other dutyes. Nor in all these pious Labours, [was 
she] the least troublesome, scrupulous, singular, or 
morose, butt [of] the most easy and chearful conversa- 
tion in the world. 



104 THE LIFE OF 



Thus passed she the Evenings till Supper j which she 
for the most part refused her selfe, spending that tyme in 
her oratory j and if she did come downe, eating spar- 
ingly, retired againe soe soone as decently she could dis- 
engage her selfe to pray with her little family, and fin- 
ish the rest of her private course before she went to re- 
pose. This your Ladyshipp knows and could speake 
to much better then my selfe, whilst you were fellow vir- 
gins and companions in holy dutyes ; and thus lived 
she to God and to her selfe. Let us now take a view 
how she conversed with others, Domesticks and 
Friends, after she was a Wife, and had a family to 
governe. 

It is usually said of marryed people, n such a one 
has altered her condition," indeed, soe had shee. Butt 
in noe sort her Course. Itt could not be said of this 
paire, that those who are marryed cared for the things 
of this world how they might please one another, for 
never was there Lady pleased soe well as when she 
was careing for the things of the Lord, and this she 
did (if any ever did) without distraction, knowing that 
she could never please her husband better then when 
she was pleasing God ; soe as she was, (I may truly 
say,) the same [as] a wife and a virgin. And such a 
Marriage it was, I am perswaded St. Paul himselfe 
would have preferred above the celibate he soe highly 
comended, butt for which he had noe command, butt 
spoke on supposition. 

She was none of those who would have excused 
her comeing to the divine and royall feasts because she 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 105 



had manyed an husband; slacking in nothing of her 
former zeale and labours of love, without the least im- 
peachment to her domestick Charge. Soe dextrously 
she knew to reconcile both those dutyes, that I beleive 
there never was family more an household of faith, 
never persons linked togeather in a more honourable, 
happy, and easy bond ; for as she was an excellent 
Christian, she was a noe less unparalleld wife ; I need 
not therefore describe this vertue to your Ladyshipp, or 
call that complaisance which was the height of a most 
vertuous affection ; and reciprocall ; for never were 
two persons soe framed for one another's dispositions, 
never lived paire in more peace and harmony ; and 
yett, tho' this conversation was the most noble and be- 
comeing in the world, without troublesome fondness, 
yett she could not conceale the affliction she suffered 
when he was absent, as when he had been sometymes 
sent abroad by his Majestye, upon diverse publick con- 
cerns of State, nor the Joy that so spread it selfe in her 
countenance, and agreeable humour, when he was pre- 
sent. In a word, she was conversation as well as Com- 
panion for a wise and excellent person, soe as if ever 
two were created for each other, and marriages, as 
they say, made in heaven, this happy paire were of the 
number. O irreparable loss, never to be repaired on 
this side that blessed place. 

For the prudent management of her domestick af- 
fairs, she was not to learne what ever might become the 
gravest or [most] experienced Matron as well as Mis- 
tress. She had soone made choice of such servants, 
and putt all things in such order, as nothing was more 

6* 



106 THE LIFE OF 



easy, methodicall, and quiett ; without singularity or 
affectation ; nothing more decent and honourable. She 
provided them bookes to read, prayers to use by them- 
selves, and constantly instructed them herselfe in the 
principles of Religion ; tooke care for their due receive- 
ing of the holy Sacrament, and was in a word the best 
mistress in the world : wittness her bountifull remem- 
brance of them att her death, of which I have allready 
spoken. 

She tooke exact Accompt of her dayly expenses, 
which every Saturday she used to summe up, and never 
went on score ; soe just and provident she was ; make- 
ing that a delight which others looke on as a Burthen, 
— namely, the care of her family, which she would goe 
through with an hardiness and masculine virtue, soe 
farr was she from being nice and delicate, that it infi- 
nitely became her. IN one knew better then she to buy 
and to chuse what was fitt, tempering a discreet frn- 
galitye with a generous hand and a large heart ; and 
if in any thing profuse itt was in her Charitye. 

And that I have shewed your Ladyshipp how she 
lived to God and to herselfe, T have now to add how 
she conversed with her Neighbours, whom she loved 
as herselfe. 

Your Ladyshipp is of too generous a Soule to forgett 
that particular affection she bore you to the last, the 
esteeme she had of your excellent sister and Relations : 
and methinks I still see the concerne she shewed, when 
you were preparing to goe into Holland about this tvme. 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 107 



because her solicitude for your. prosperity was accompa- 
nyed with a tender friendshipp ; which I find you 
would keepe in memory by the Instances you make to 
one, whome you justly think have noe less gratefull dis- 
position to celebrate her vertues. 

Indeed never was any Creature more obligeing to 
her friends and Relations ; to whose Civilityes, that 
she might be just, she not only kept a Catalogue of 
those she had a more particular esteeme of, butt would 
studdy all imaginable wayes to be serviceable to them. 
Wee both are wittnesses of the paines she would un- 
dergoe to proselyte vaine or indifferent Christians, and 
with what an admirable address she did it ; without 
the least diminition of her selfe, or mean complyance 
to gaine friendshipp with esteeme ; tho' she was scru- 
pulously carefull not to multiply accquaintances, con- 
sidering the precious moments that are lost in imperti- 
nent and formal visitts, and therefore reduceing [them] 
to a select and choice number. Nothing in the world 
did more afflict her then the trifling Conversation *of 
some whome of Decency she was obliged to bear with, 
whilst there was not a visitt which she returned to such, 
butt with a secrett designe, how she might either reclaime 
those who were less reserved and circumspect, or con- 
firme and incourage those that were more. Never 
should you hear her speake to the disadvantage of an 
absent person ; butt if others did, she would be either 
silent and say nothing, unless where she could excuse 
them, or divert the discourse. In every thing else she 
had a wonderfull complacency of nature ; which was 
infinitely improved by Religion, and a kind of univer- 



108 THE LIFE OF 



sail Charitye, soe as to acomodate her selfe to all inno- 
cent humours. She would sing, and play, and act, 
and recite, and discourse prettyly and innocently a 
thousand harmeless and ingenious purposes to recreat 
old and melancholy persons, and divert the younger. 
She had kindness and good nature to silt by the sick 
and peevish, read and pray by them with insuperable 
patience and chearfullness, and comply even with little 
Children ; she played att any the most difficult games 
suiteable to their Conversation, and that skillfully : nor 
was there any resisting her agreeable way and governing 
spiritt ; soe that (as I noted) the greatest Duchesses 
and Ladyes of the Court sought her friendshipp and 
assistance vpon any occasion of solemn pomp, Masque, 
Ball, or exterordinary appearance, because of a certaine 
peculiar fancy and address she had in suiteing, dress- 
ing, and continueing things of Ornament, with univer- 
sall approbation, whilst in all these Complyances, she 
was watchful 1 of opportunityes to instill something of 
vertue and Religion, as well by her discourse as ex- 
ample, and in such a manner, as not only avoided the 
Censure of Impertinence and singularity, butt which 
more endeared her to them. What shall I say? she 
had all the pretty arts and innocent stratagems imagin- 
able, of mingling serious things on all occasions, sea- 
soning even her diversions with something of Religion ; 
which, as she would manage it, putt to rebuke all their 
stocks of rayllery, soe as nothing was more agreeable 
then her Company where ever she came. Indeed 
there was nothing proofe against the abundance of her 
witt and piety : she made vertue and holyness a chear- 
full thing, lovely as her selfe ; and even in the Court, 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 109 



how many of the greatest there, were made to looke 
upon Religion as a serious thing, yett consistent with 
their post. Butt this I need not recount to your Lady- 
shipp, there are yett some (and more I wish there were) 
who owe the tincture to this Lady, and will, I hope, 
retaine it ; soe as, if ever it were an holy Court, 'twas 
when this Saint was the life of it. 'Twere easy to 
shew whome, by her Councell and address, she had 
rescued some from fatall precipices in that giddy Sta- 
tion ; others, whome she has instructed, that were Ig- 
norant or careless ; some, that she gained to a severe 
Course, who were listning to folly and mine : in a 
word, it was the pleasure of her life and the buissness 
of the day, to cast about how she might improve it to 
those advantages. O, were the Courts of Princes 
adorn'd and furnish'd with such a Circle wee should 
call it Heaven on Earth, and converse with Angells. 
Butt, to justifye this and all that I have affirmed con- 
cerning the piety of her thoughts, the passion she had 
to improve others, the richness of her Invention, natu- 
rall Eloquence, and beauty of her Style, I have no 
more to doe then to mind your Ladyshipp of a Letter, 
written by this Saint, when she was now gone from 
Court, of which I am well assured you are best ac- 
quainted, and can yett perhapps produce the orriginall ; 
for my part I never read it butt I looke vpon it as in- 
spired with an appostolick spiritt. 

" Deare Children, since you are both soe lowly in 
your owne Eyes, as to make use of me in a thing 
which either of you would have done better, butt that 
you distrust your selfes, — namely the paraphrases 



110 THE LIFE OF 



vpon the prayer lately sent you, I thought my selfe 
obliged deepely to consider it againe, and having done 
soe, cannott satisfy my selfe, unless I sett downe with 
Pen and Ink what my opinion is of it. As to your 
dressing, I can't beleive the Doctor meant there should 
be any neglect of that beauty God has given you, soe 
it be done with this Caution, first that you designe to 
captivate none for any satisfaction you take in the 
number of Lovers or in the Noise of a larger traine of 
Admirers than other young women have, butt purely 
for an honest designe of disingageing your selves as 
soone as you can from the place you are in, in an 
honorable way ; and when ever you see any young 
Man, whome in your hearts you cannot beleive will 
prove that person I speak of, or any marryed Man, 
whome you know cannot, with such a one St. Paul 
sayes, you ought not to converse in the least ; I meane, 
if possible to be avoided, and in this age, you know, 
women are not soe wonderfully solicited that have the 
vertue and modesty of you two. That good service 
the Ladys of other principles have done you, that men 
sooner find their Error, and without much difficulty 
suspected conversations may be avoided. 

" Indeed, it would be a most dreadful sight att the 
last day, to see any man condemned upon your ac- 
counts ; and yett such a thing may be, and yett you 
honest : for if you willingly consent men should looke 
upon you and follow you, you are accessary to that 
sinn in St. Mathew, l Who ever lookes on a woman to 
lust after her, hath committed Adultery with her all- 
ready in his heart.' Soe that my opinion is, that man- 



MRS. G0D0LPHIN. Ill 



kind, if they make any particular applications, tho' 
they don't make love, be, as much as you can, avoided. 
As to your Conversation, there is nothing forbidden butt 
what is either prophane, or unjust, or indevout; I 
meane, the encourageing of any of that in others, by 
seemeing well pleased with it. 'Tis true, wee should 
not preach in the withdrawing Roome, butt wee must, 
by our lookes, shew that wee fear God, and that wee 
dare not hear any thing to his prejudice, nor any thing 
filthy, or that tends to the prejudice of our Neighbour ; 
and where any of these are found, there, as much as 
ever wee can, to avoid them. As to what wee say our 
selves, the same Rules are to be observed ; and wee 
must take care that wee talke not to be the wittiest in 
the Company ; to accquire praise to ourselves above 
our Neighbours. Wee may divert people, and be in- 
nocently merry ; but then wee must not designe praise 
to our selves, nor please our selves (if wee have it) in 
the thoughts of it, butt in some short and silent prayer, 
desire God to keepe us low in our owne Eyes, as 
'Lord, make me poore in spiritt, that I may inheritt 
the kingdome of Heaven,' or by calling to mind that 
saying of St. Paul, ' What hast thou which thou didst 
not receive, and if thou hast received it, why dost thou 
boast?' In short, wee must talke, to divert others, not 
to gaine applause to our selves, and if there be any 
that are able and willing to doe it, lett us not be im- 
patient to preferr them before us. Butt this is butt 
sometymes to be done ; 'tis not a fault if you should 
not allwayes be soe willing to keep silence whilst others 
speake. 



112 THE LIFE OF 



" As to your retirement after you come in, 'tis only 
to examine the day, and if you have been faulty, in all 
humility to acknowledge it to Allmighty God, and what 
ever the fault has been, to read some portion of Scrip- 
ture which concerns it, if you can find any ; if not, to 
read some Chapter in St. John's Gospell, especially the 
15, or 16, or 17th, &c. that doe most divinely sett forth 
the Love of God to us. The reason why I urge this, 
is, that your sorrow for sin may proceed from the sence 
you have of God's great meicy and love to us ; and 
that Consideration will melt your hearts, and keepe 
you close, and make you desire to draw near him ; but 
Hell terrifyes, and damnation amazes, and I am never 
the better for those reflections. 

11 And after this is pass'd, you both being Good, and 
friends as well as Sisters, will doe well to contrive to- 
geather how you may defeate the Divell, and make 
Solomon's words true, that ; two are belter than one.' 
After this, in God's name, I know no harme, — if your 
devotions of the day and task that you assigne your- 
selves are over, — butt that you may be as chearfull as 
your Innocence can make you, which in both is very 



' : As to one particular in the dress, I think I have 
not spoken concerneing the expensive part. Butt that 

only concerns , and Mrs. , whose purses are 

small, that they take care, upon noe account whatsoever, 
they exceed what their pension is, for noe duty to the 
Q,ueene, in makeing a shew behind her, can excuse one 
from Justice to our Neighbour, before that God in whose 



MRS. G0D0LPH1N. I 13 



presence wee walke, and [who] will avenge the Cause 
of the wronged. Butt I am sencible not only this last, 
butt all I have said, has been not onely (as to my part) 
silly, butt as to you-rs, superfluous, only Love and 
Goodwill I dare say will plead my excuse before two 
soe good young Creatures for a greater fault than this, 
and therefore not doubting but I am forgiven, I will 
[end] with a prayer drawne from the Sermon wee 
heard this morning. 

" That you two, who have soe gloriously and soe 
resolutely sett your selves to serve God in your younger 
dayes, may continue to be still what you are, examples 
of vertue and modesty in a Court, dutifull to your 
Misstress, obedient and loveing to your Mother, affec- 
tionate to each other, and charitable to all the world. 
Besides, may you be wise virgins, haveing Oyle in. 
your Lamps ready prepar'd to meete the Bridegroome. 
May you be burning and shineing lights in the midst 
of a crooked and perverse Generation, and as the Minis- 
ter said this day, ' May you, as Samuel, and David, 
Josiah, Timothy, and St. John, be wholly dedicated to 
Gods Service, as was the first ; zealous for his Glory, 
as was the second ; constantly seeking the God of your 
fathers, as was the third ; well instructed in Scrip- 
tures, as was the fourth ; and at last may you (as St. 
John was) be admitted into the Bosome of our Dear 
Jesus, where you will have your short youth turned 
into Eternity, your earthly treasure to an heavenly, 
and your worldly greatness and power exchang'd for a 
Crowne of Glory.' Amen with all my heart." 



114 THE LIFE OF 



And now, O blessed Saint, how dost thou shine 
above ! What a Circle of Starrs diadems thy Temples ! 
what a Jubilation amongst the Angells at thy access 
into the Glorious Hierarchy ! Verily, Madam, I have 
had thoughts above the world, when I sometymes con- 
sidered the life of this excellent Creature, her rare ex- 
amples, happy success, and the fruites which have been 
planted and cultivated by her holy Industrye and la- 
bour of Love, were it by her beauty, by her witt, her 
Conversation, her prayers and devotions, her zeal and 
pious Insinuations, her example or peculiar addresse ; 
being wily, she caught them by Craft, and as I said, 
I would sometymes call her the fisheress of her sex. 
What shall I add ? She was fortunate in all she sett 
her hand to, because she laid out all these perfections 
in the service of God, the winning of soules ; and great, 
great is her reward. 

Nor did this confine her only to the Court, amongst 
the Great. 1 have allready told how diligently she 
would inquire out the poore and miserable, even [in] 
Hospitalls, humble Cells and Cottages, whither I have 
sometymes accompanied her, as farr as the very skirts 
and obscure places of the Towne, among whom she 
not only [gave] liberall almes, but physitians and phy- 
sick she would send to some, yea, and administer Re- 
medy es heiselfe, and the meanest offices. She would 
sit and read, instruct and pray, whole afternoones, and 
tooke care for their spirituall releif by procureing a 
Minister of Religion to prepare them for the holy Sa- 
crament, for which purpose she not only carryed and 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 115 



gave them bookes of Salvation and Devotion, but had 
herselfe collected diverse Psalmes and Chapters proper 
to be read and used vpon such occasions. How many- 
naked poore Creatures she covered ! I have by me one 
List of no fewer then twenty three, whome she cladd 
at one tyme; and your Ladyshipp may remember, 
and I have allready noted, for whome she wrought 
with her owne hands. 

To assist her then in the disposeing of these and 
inumerable other Charityes, there was a poore religious 
Widdow, whome your Ladyshipp knew she had a 
more particular Confidence in. How she found her 
out, I never informed my selfe, but well remember a 
passage of something exterordinary that happened 
to her concerning a Voice Avhich she solemnly affirmed 
had spoken to her, being once att prayers in the Church 
and in great distress. I shall say nothing as to that, 
but that it was this pious and humble Creature, whose 
diligence she vsed, to informe her of sick and miserable 
people, who accompanyed her to their Habitations, and 
brought them Cloathes, Mony and Medicines, and 
whereof they spent whole dayes in devotion togeather. 
By her it was she distributed weekly pensions, looked 
after orphan Children, put them to schoole, visitted the 
prisons, out of which (amongst diverse others,) she had 
redeemed a dissolute son of hers, that, cost a very con- 
siderable summe, as she had paid the debts, and in- 
deed wholly maintained the Mother to her dyeing day, 
though being taken with a dead palsy, and in a man- 
ner bed ridden, a year or two before. She survived her 
Benefactress, but not her bounty : thus when she went 



116 THE LIFE OF 



into Ffrance, she ordered me to continue many other 
pensions which she gave, and I could give you an 
account of what house rent she paid for indigent hous- 
keepers, what Apprentices she put forth, and your 
Ladyshipp remembers, and I have allready touched, 
the little Child she kept allwayes with her, and cher- 
ished to the last. Soe sedulous was she in these acts 
of Charity, that from the tyme I could calculate, she 
had begun and persisted in this Course from a Child 
her selfe : and for the last 7 Years of her life, I can 
speake of my owne knowledge, that her liberality was 
soe disproportion^ to her Revenue, that I have some- 
tymes called it profusion, at which she would smile, 
and bid me take no care. What she herselfe distribut- 
ed more privately I know not, but sure I am it was a 
great deale more then ever she would discover, takeing 
all the Cautions imaginable, that nothing she did of 
this nature should be knowne, no not to her left hand 
what her right hand did, and therefore often would she 
herselfe walk out alone and on foote, and fasting, and 
in midst of winter, (when it was hardly fitt to send a 
servant out,) to minister to some poore creatures she 
had found out, and perhaps whome no body knew of 
besides, soe far had her love to God and piety to others 
overcome nature and the delicate tenderness of her sex 
and constitution. 

See then what I find in her Diarye, among the Re- 
solutions (as I said) she was wont to set downe in her 
owne hand. It seemes she had lost at Cards (a diver- 
sion which she affected not, but to comply with others, 



MRS. G0D0LPH1N. 117 



when sometymes she could not avoid it). Behold, Ma- 
dam, with what remorse, with what discretion. 

"June the 2d. 

" I will never play this halfe year butt att 3 penny 
omber, and then with one att halves. I will not ; I 
doe not vow, but 1 will not doe it, — what, loose mony 
att Cards, yett not give the poore? ; Tis robbing God, 
misspending tyme, and missimploying my Talent : 
three great Sinns. Three pounds would have kept 
three people from starveing a month : well, I will not 
play." 

Here is a blessed Creature. 'Tis in this pretious 
Manuscript that I find an account of the particular 
mercyes she had received from God, amongst which 
that he had given soe religious a Mother, such good 
breeding, early receiveing the blessed sacrament, the 
prayers of holy people for her, and assistance of a 
spirittuall Guide, which (sayes she) I am confident 
was the reward of my receiveing at the Charter house. 
I take notice of it here, because 'tis there she blessed 
God that she had been serviceable, both to poore and 
Rich, in that he had been pleased to make her his In- 
strument, and soe goes on to thank him for the many 
personall dangers and accidents she had escaped, all 
which she particularizes. But to returne to her Chari- 
tyes, (than which I know no greater marke of a con- 
summate Christian,) I may not omit that other branch 
of it, her visitting and releaseing of prisoners, of which 
I think I can produce a list of above thirty restrained 
for debts in severall prisons, which she paid and com- 



118 THE LIFE OF 



pounded for at once. Nor were these (as I said) sud- 
den fitts of devotion, but her continued practice, and 
such as tooke up a considerable portion of her life ; 
and such infinite satisfaction tooke she in this blessed 
Imployment, as that often have I knowne her pri- 
vately slipp away and breake from the gay and pub- 
lique Company, the greatest entertainments, and great- 
est persons too of the Court, to make a stepp to some 
miserable poore sick Creature, whilst those she quitted 
have wondered why she went from the conversation ; 
and more they would, had they seen how the sceene 
was chang'd from a Kingly palace to some meane cot- 
tage, from the Company of princes to poore necessitous 
wretches, when by and by she would returne as chear- 
full and in good humour, as if she had been about 
some worldly concerne, and excuse her absence in the 
most innocent manner imaginable. Never must I for- 
gett the infinite pleasure she tooke in doeing Charityes. 
'Twas one day that I was with her, when seeing a 
poore Creatnre in the streets, " Now," sayes she to me, 
" how will I make that miserable wretch rejoyce." 
Upon which she sent him ten tymes more than 1 am 
confident he ever could expect. This she spake, not 
as boasting, but soe as one might perceive her very 
soule lifted up in secret Joy, to consider how the mis- 
erable man would be made happy with the surprize. 
Soe as summing all these Instances together, I might 
well compare this Lady to those excellent persons 
whose praise is in the Gospell, and whose names (St. 
Paull assures us, Acts x. 2,) are written in the booke 
of life, being like Cornelius and Dorcas, full of good 
works and Almes Deeds which she did ; as Priscilla, 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 119 



she instructed many more perfectly in the wayes of 
God ; as Mary, she bestowed much labour ; nor doe I 
ever think of her but I call to mind the Phebes, and 
Triphosas, Julia and Olympia, Claudia and to whome 
the Appostle would certainly have added Margarita, 
(this pearle of ours,) had she been then in the world, 
who were servants of the Churches, succourers of the 
Saints, helpers in Christ Jesus, and who were even 
ready to lay downe their lives for the Gospell. Soe 
flagrant was her zeale, soe pure her Charitye, soe ve- 
hement and sincere her love to God, as often to quitt 
the Ease and pleasures of life, and dismiss the Diver- 
sions of a Court, to possess those Divine and supernal! 
pleasures of doeing good, and the blessing of him that 
was ready to perish came upon her who caused the 
widows heart to sing for Joy, for she was eyes to the 
blind, and feet to the Lame, in all things, shewing her- 
selfe a patterne of good workes. In a word, her life 
did soe shine before Men, that those who saw her good 
workes could not butt be stirred up to glorifye God ; yet 
by grace we are saved through faith, and not of our 
selves, it is the gift of God, not of workes, lest any 
man should boast, for we are his workmanship, created 
in Christ Jesus unto good workes, which God hath be- 
fore ordained that we should walke in them. 

And now after all this, I need noe more produce 
her Diarye, haveing given your Ladyshipp so minute 
an Account of her life and actions, 1 shall onely add, 
that to the particulars of the Mercyes she received, 
Resolutions made, and Graces which she desired, she 
composed many excellent Prayers, Praises, and Devo^ 



120 THE LIFE OF 



tions, pertinent to the occasion, and to which I might 
subjoine the wonderfull Condescension, already noted, 
in constantly giveing me once a year a little history of 
her life, and what had happened of most concerne in 
her particular, what faileings, and Improvements she 
was sencible of, with an Tngenuitye exterordnary, and 
breathing a pious friendshipp, desireing my direction 
and my prayers, which a thousand tymes I needed 
more than she, who had, (as your t Ladyshipp well 
knows, and is already noted) a Ghostly father, with 
whome frequently corresponding, she constantly re- 
ceived proper Ministeryes and advice in matters cog- 
nizable to that sacred Character. To him it was she 
often revealed her Conscience, as from a Child she 
before had done to a devout and learned prelate of our 
Church, by the exterordnary Care of his [her?] pious 
and excellent Mother, as herself has told me, lookeing 
on it as the greatest blessing she had ever left her. 

And thus, Madam, I have, according to the best of 
my poore ability, complyed with your Ladyshipp's 
comands, and given you the Life of this Incomparable 
Lady : which though I may not have performed to the 
height and merit of the subject, I have yet me-thinks 
paid an obligation to the memory of one you loved, 
and that honoured me with friendship never to be for- 
gotten, since it let me into a Conversation of soe great 
advantage. In a word, to justifye what I present your 
Ladyshipp, and summ up all. I have been oft par- 
taker of her sadness and brighter dayes, wittness of 
her devoutest Recollections, accurate and exterordinary 
preparations, ardent Zeale, and unwearyed Devotions, 



MRS. G0D0LPH1N. 121 

chearfull and even profusive Charityes and labours of 
Love, for her secular concerns was only in order to 
SpiritualL 

In sumrae. 

Never was there a more unspotted virgin, a more 
loyall wife, a more sincere friend, a more consummate 
Christian ; add to this, a florid youth, an exquisite and 
naturall beauty, and gracefullness the most becomeing. 
Nor was she to be disguised : there was nothing more 
quick and peircing than her apprehension, nothing 
more faithfull than her memory, more solid and mature 
than her Judgment, insomuch as I have heard her 
husband affirme to me (whose discernment all that 
have the honour to know him will allow to be exter- 
ordinary) that even in the greatest dirncultyes and oc- 
casions, he has both asked and preferred her advice 
with continuall success, and with those solid parts she 
had all the advantages of a most sparkling witt, a 
naturall Eloquence, a gentle and agreeable tone of 
voice, and a charmeing accent when she spake, whilst 
the Charmes of her countenance were made up of the 
greatest Innocence, modesty, and goodness Imaginable, 
agreeable to the Composure of her thoughts, and the 
union of a thousand perfections : add to all this, she 
was Just, Invincible, secrett, ingeniously sinceere, 
faithfull in her promises, and to a Miracle, temperate, 
and mistress of her passions and resolutions, and soe 
well had she imployed her spann of tyme, that as oft 
as I consider how much she knew, and writt, and did, 
I am plainly astonished, and blush even for my selfe. 

7 



122 THE LIFE OF 



O how delightfull entertaining was this Lady, how 
grave her discourse, how unlike the conversation of 
her sex, when she was the most facetious, it would 
allwayes end in a chearfull composedness the most be- 
comeing in the world, for she was the tenderest Crea- 
ture living of taking advantage of anothers Imperfec- 
tions ; nothing could be more humble and full of 
Compassion, nothing more disposed to all offices of 
kindness. In a word, what perfections were scatered 
amongst others of her sex, seem'd here to be united, 
and she went every day improveing, shineing brighter, 
and ascending still in vertue. 

I should here add something concerning the obse- 
quies and funerall of this blessed Saint, on which occa- 
sion is not to be omitted, the earnest request she soe 
provisionally made, that she might be interred in the 
Dormitorye of her husband's family and Relations, tho' 
it were not much less then three hundred miles distance 
from the place where she was borne and bred, that soe 
her ashes might hereafter be mingl'd with his whome so 
intirely she loved ; and which, after her Corps had been 
embalm'd and wrapt in Lead, was (as your Ladyshipp 
knows) as religiously perform'd, decently and with 
much honour, but without pomp or ostentation, on the 
16th day of September, 1678, in the Church of Bre- 
ague, in the parish of Godolphin, in Cornwall, of which 
that family have been Lords and of illustrious name 
both before and since the Conquest ; and where, being 
alive, she had often in my hearing expressed such a 
longing desire to have passed the rest of her dayes, that, 
being remote from the noise of Cittyes. Courts, and the 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. J 23 



subjecting Impertinences attending them, she might in- 
tirely vacate [to] the service of God : not but wherever 
she lived she did it as much as ever any blessed Crea- 
ture did, but because she fancyed she should doe it 
better there, which was impossible. 

Here then let us leave our Saint at rest, but our 
selves at none, till by following her example wee arrive 
at that blessed repose whether she is gone before. 

For thou (deare Soule) to Heavens fledd, 
Hast all the vertues with thee, thither ledd, 

Wee here see thee no more. 
Thou to that bright and glorious place 
Art runn, hast won the Race : 

A Crowne of Rayes, 

And never fadeing Bayes, 
Such as on Heaverts Parnassus grows, 

Deck thyne Angelick Brows ; 
A Robe of Righteousness about thee cast. 
Bathed in Celestiall Bliss, thou there dost tast 

Pleasures att God's right hand, 

Pleasures that ever last, 
And greater then wee here can vnder stand, 
Butt are for such as serve him best reserved in store. 

2. 

How long, Lord, ah ! how long 

Wate wee below ! 
Our soden feete stick in the Clay, 
Wee thro'' the bodye's Dungeon see no day. 

Sorrows on sorrows throng, 



124 THE LIFE OF 



Friendshipps (the souls of life) and frends depart 
To other ivorlds, and new Relations know. 
Ah ! thou who art 
The starry orbs above 
Essentiall love, 
Reach forth thy gratious hand, 
And send me wings for flight, 
Sett me vpon that holy Land, 
O bring me to the happy shoare 

Where no dark night 
Obscure the day, where all is light ; 
A Citty there not made with hands, 
Within the blissfull Region stands, 
Where wee in every streete 
Our dearest friends againe shall meete, 
And friendshipps more refined and siveete, 
And never loose them, more. 

Amen. 



Finis. 



MRS. GODOLPHIN. 125 



EPITAPH. 

In Margaritam Epitaphium. 

Here lyes a pearle none such the ocean yields 
In all the Treasures of his liquid fields : 
Butt such as that wise Merchant wisely sought 
Who the bright Gemm with all his substance bought. 
Such to Jerusalem above translates 
Our God, fadorne the Entrance of her gates. 
The Spouse with such Embrodery does come 
To meete her Nuptialls the Celestiall Groome. 

On the copper plate sothered on the Coffinn, 



NOTES. 

Page 1. 

LAD Y S YL VI US. Anne, daughter of William Howard, 
fourth son of Thomas, first Earl of Berkshire, and wife of Sir 
Gabriel Sylvius. See Table IV. 

P. 3. " An ancient Suffolke family." See Table I. and 
note attached to it. 

P. 3. " Mrs. Blagge." See the same table. 

P. 4. " Bishop of Ely:'' Dr. Peter Gunning, Bishop of Chi- 
chester in 1669, Bishop of Ely in 1674, who " can do nothing 
but what is well."— Diary, Feb. 23, 1673. 

P. 5. " Old Duchess of Richmond." Mary Villiers, sister 
of George, second Duke of Buckingham, and widow of James 
Stuart,. third Duke of Richmond. See Table III. 

P. 5. " late Countess of Guilford." Elizabeth Fielding, 
cousin of the Duke of Buckingham and of the Duchess of 
Richmond. See Table III. 

P. 5. " Groom of the Stoole," (Custos Stolse.) The Coun- 
tess of Guilford was succeeded, as ;; groom of the stole" to 
Henrietta Maria, by Lady Arlington (Isabella de Nassau, who 
afterwards married Henry Fitzroy, first Duke of Grafton). At 
a later period, in 1704, the Duchess of Marlborough was ap- 
pointed " Groom of the Stole" to Q,ueen Anne, but the title of 
her office was changed to " Mistress of the Robes." Elizabeth, 
the heiress of the great house of Percy and wife of Charles, (the 
proud) Duke of Somerset, was made " Groom of the Stole" in 
1710. Since the accession of the House of Hanover, the title 
of ml Groom of the Stole." has been given, I believe, exclusively, 
to the principal noble attendant on the person of the King, and 



128 NOTES. 



now, of the Prince Consort. In p. 56 Lord Rochester is called 
Master of the Robes, and Godolphin himself was appointed to 
that office in July, 1767. In some French memoirs, the title 
has been spelled " Grumstul," and a singular perversion of its 
meaning may be seen in the Memoirs of the Comte deBrienne. 

P. 5. " the late Queen's mother." An error for Queen-mo- 
ther : viz. Henrietta Maria, who died Aug. 10, 1669. 

P. 5. " the then Duchess of York." Anne Hyde, daughter 
of the Lord Chancellor Clarendon, and first wife of James, 
Duke of York, afterwards James II. 

P. 6. " till the Duchess died." March 31, 1671. 

P. 10. " My Lady Falmouth." Elizabeth (or Mary ?) Ba- 
got, daughter of Hervey Bagot, who had been one of the maids 
of honour to the Duchess of York, and who was at this time the 
widow of Charles Berkeley, first Viscount Fitzhardinge and 
Earl of Falmouth, killed in the sea-fight with the Dutch, June 
3, 1665. Pepys calls her, in 1666, " a pretty woman ; she was 
now in her second or third mourning, and pretty pleasant in her 
looks." In July 1667, he says that she was about to marry 
young Jermyn : she however married, for her second husband, 
Charles Sackville, Earl (afterwards created Duke) of Dorset. 
See Table II. 

P. 12. " Some play to be acted by the maids of honour." 
See an account of what took place on Dec. 15, 1674. 

P. 12. " Duchess of Monmouth." The Lady Anne Scot, 
daughter and sole heir of Francis, Earl of Buccleuch, wife 
of James, Duke of Monmouth, who was beheaded July 15 3 
1685. 

P. 12. " That ofMicha," rather Malachi iii. 17. 

P. 15. " Our family es being neare to one another." The 
family seat of the Evelyns was at Wotton, in Surrey, where 
Evelyn often visited, although he did not reside there till May 
1694. Ashted, near Epsom, belonged to Sir Robert Howard, 
uncle to Lady Sylvius : Deepden, now Mr. Hope's, belonged 
to Mr. Charles Howard, ancestor of the present Duke of Nor- 
folk: and Albury, now Mr. Drummond's, was the residence of 
Henry Howard, afterwards Duke of Norfolk. All these places 
are at short distances from each other. 



NOTES. 129 



P. 15. u Your mother and sister." Mrs. William Howard, 
[Elizabeth, daughter of Lord Dundas] and Dorothy Howard, 
afterwards Mrs. Graham. See Table IV. 

P. 17. " Your sister, then maid of honour." See the last 
note. 

P. 19. " Paulina and Eustochius." See p. 34, and all the 
accounts of St. Jerome. 

P. 27. " Ait Whitehall, whither she came from St. James," 
to the Queen's service, after the death of the Duchess of York, 
in 1671. 

P. 28. " Mr. Godolphin sent abroad." In 1668 he accom- 
panied his brother Sir William on a mission to Spain. 

P. 31. " At Berkley house." The splendid mansion built by- 
Sir John Berkeley of Bruton, created Lord Berkeley of Strat- 
ton, at Hay Hill Farm, in the parish of St. James. The names 
and titles are still preserved in John Street, Berkeley Square 
and Street, Bruton Street, Stratton Street, Hay Street, Hill 
Street and also Hay-hill, Farm Street, and Charles Street, 
after Lord Berkeley's brother, Charles, Earl of Falmouth. 
Part of the gardens are still preserved in those attached to 
Devonshire House and Lansdowne (originally Bute) House. 
Some idea of their extent may be formed from this enumera- 
tion. A description of Berkeley House is given by Evelyn in 
his Diary, Sept. 25, 1672 : no view of it is known to exist. 
Pennant, whose error is copied by many others, strangely attri- 
butes the building of this house to the family of the Earls of 
Berkeley : of course the scandalous anecdote introduced by him 
is equally out of place with his more sober narrative that Chris- 
tian, Countess of Devonshire, lived " in the antient house — on 
the site of Berkeley House, where she received Waller and 
Denham, and where she died in 1674," (Jan. 16, 1674-5.) 
Now John, Lord Berkeley of Stratton, the builder of Berkeley 
House, did not die till the year 1678, and, after his death, his 
widow continued to reside there ; for in 1684, Evelyn was con- 
sulted by Lady Berkeley of Stratton as to the propriety of 
building two streets in Berkeley Gardens, " reserving the house 
and as much of the gardens as the breadth of the house," ap- 

7* 



130 NOTES. 



parently Berkeley Street and Stratton Street. After the death 
of Lady Berkeley, the mansion was inhabited by the Princess 
(afterwards Q,ueen) Anne until Jan. 1695. 

The old town house of the Earls of Devonshire was not in 
Piccadilly, but in Bishopsgate, where Devonshire Square now 
stands; William, the second earl, died there in 1628. His 
widow, Christian, the loyal and exemplary Countess of Devon- 
shire, did not reside in London, she lived and died a Roehamp- 
ton in Surrey, in the house which had been inhabited by Wes- 
ton, Earl of Portland, and now belongs to Mr. Robert Gosling 
the banker. It was at Roehampton, not in Piccadilly, that she 
received Waller and Denham. Her son William, the third 
earl, died in the same house in Nov. 1684. His son William, 
the fourth Earl (afterwards created Duke) of Devonshire, 
having, at first, no town house, rented and lived in Montague 
House (the British Museum in Great Russell Street), which 
w&s burned down during his occupation of it in Jan. 1686. 
After the accession of William III. " the Duke of Devonshire 
took it into his head, that could he have the Duchess of Ports- 
mouth's lodgings (at Whitehall) where there was a fine room 
for balls, it would give him a very magnificent air." (Duchess 
of Marlborough's Defence of her Conduct, p. 29.) It is pro- 
bable that the Duke purchased Berkeley House after 1695, 
and changed its name to Devonshire House, since Bishop 
Kennet says he died Aug. 18, 1707, in " Devonshire House, 
Piccadilly." The present Devonshire House, standing cer- 
tainly on the site of Berkeley House, was not built by him, but 
by his grandson, the third duke, some time after the year 1730. 
To this house and to its builder applies the epigram composed 
by Horace (afterwards Lord Walpole of Wolterton), brother 
of Sir Robert Walpole, who, calling one day at Devonshire 
House, which was just finished, and not finding the Duke at 
home, left this epigram upon the table, 

" Ut dominus, domus est ; non extra fulta columnis 
Marmoreis splendet ; quod tenet, intus habet." 

Sir John Denham, whose name being associated with that of 
the Countess of Devonshire perhaps misled Pennant, had a 



NOTES. 131 



house and gardens in Piccadilly, where Burlington House now 
stands, adjoining to which stood Lord Clarendon's famous man- 
sion, afterwards the Duke of Albemarle's, the site of the pre- 
sent Albemarle Street, Dover Street, and Bond Street. The 
three mansions thus named, viz. Sir John Denham's, Albemarle 
House, and Berkeley House, occupied nearly the whole of the 
north of Piccadilly: the ground to the west of Berkeley House 
was divided into six fields, known as " Penniless Bank," u Little 
Brook-field," " Stone Bridge-field," " Great Brook-field," " Mr. 
Audley's land," and " Shoulder of Mutton field." To the north, 
Berkeley Gardens were bounded by the land " where graze 
the cows" of Alexander Davies, of Ebury, in Pimlico, whose 
daughter and heir, Mary, married Sir Thomas Grosvenor in 
1676, and whose name is preserved in " Davies Street." 

George, Lord Berkeley, of Berkeley, afterwards Earl of 
Berkeley, lived at another Berkeley House, in the parish of St. 
John's, Clerkenwell, on the site of the present Berkeley Street, 
which leads from St. John's Lane to Red Lion Street. His 
family had lived there for several generations, his father died 
there Aug. 1658, his third son James was baptized there, 1 
June, 1663, and from the same house he writes on Feb. 23, 
1678, to Pepys, who on the previous day acknowledges a letter 
from his lordship " at St. John's." (Correspondence, vol. v. pp. 
42-45.) In Clerkenwell also, in 1681, Lord Berkeley received 
a deputation (headed by Tillotson, then Dean of Canterbury) 
from Sion College, to which he had presented the library col- 
lected by Sir Robert Coke, son of Lord Chief Justice C^ke. 
From the Coke family Lord Berkeley inherited Durdans, near 
Epsom, mentioned as his residence both by Evelyn and Pepys. 
Clerkenwell has long since ceased to be a fashionable neigh- 
bourhood, but in the seventeenth century it possessed the man- 
sions of the Earls of Aylesbury, Berkeley, and Northampton, 
the Duke of Newcastle, the Challoner family, &e. : Bishop 
Burnet and many others attached to the court also resided 
there. The streets are many of them named after their former 
owners or inhabitants. The Marquis of Northampton still re- 
tains vast property in Clerkenwell and Islington, 



132 NOTES. 



P. 33. " The mother of the maids." The Lady Sanderson, 
wife of Sir William Sanderson. 

P. 33. " Your Uoo sistei^s." Apparently an error for " you 
two sisters." See Table IV. 

P. 34. " My Lady." Lady Berkeley (see Table II.) was 
Christiana, daughter of Sir Andrew Riccard, Knight; and 
widow of Henry Rich, Lord Kensington, only son of Robert 
Rich, second Earl of Holland and fifth Earl of Warwick, by 
Elizabeth Ingram, his first wife. Sir Andrew Riccard was 
one of London's richest merchant-princes : he was President of 
the East India Company, and in that capacity figures in the 
great case of monopolies, Skinner v. E. I. Company. A marble 
statue, erected to his honour by the Turkey Company, of which 
he was president for eighteen years, still exists on his monu- 
ment in the Church of St. Olave, Hart Street. He was knighted 
July 10, 1668, and died Sept. 6, 1672, aged 68. 

P. 36. " Her sister, the Lady Yarborough." See Table I. 
It may suffice here to state that this lady, [Henrietta Maria 
Blagge] whose conduct was not free from blame, has been 
mistaken by some editors of Grammont and by Horace Wal- 
pole for the subject of this memoir. 

P. 37. " The Dean of Hereford." George Benson. 

P. 46. " From Twicknam." " Twickenham Park, Lord 
Berkeley's country seat," Diary, March 23, 1676. It was lately 
the property of Mr. Francis Gosling, the banker. 

P. 50. " Play at Court before their Majesties." " Saw a 
comedie at night at Court, acted by the ladies only, amongst 
them Lady Mary and Ann, His Royal Highness' two daugh- 
ters, and my dear friend Mrs. Blagg, who having the principal 
part, performed it to admiration. They were all covered with 
jewels." Diary, Dec. 15, 1674. The play was " Calisto or the 
Chaste Nymph," by John Crowne. It was printed in 1675, 
and a copy is preserved in the library of the British Museum. 
After the title-page is a list of the performers, all of whom 
however did not bear, at the time of acting the play, the titles 
which the printed list gives to them. The list is as follows : 

Calisto, a chaste and favourite nymph of Diana, beloved by 



NOTES. 133 



Jupiter. " Her Highness the Lady Mary," a daughter of the 
Duke of York, and afterwards Queen of England. 

Nyphe, a chaste young nymph, friend to Calisto. " Her 
Highness the Lady Anne," a daughter of the Duke of York, 
and afterwards Queen of England. 

Jupiter, in love with Calisto. " The Lady Henrietta Went- 
worth," rather Henrietta, Baroness Wentworth, which dignity 
descended to her on the death, in 1665, of her father, Thomas 
Wentworth, last Earl of Cleveland. She is well known from 
her disgraceful connexion at a later period with the Duke of 
Monmouth, whom she did not long survive, dying on April 
23, 1686. 

Juno. " The Countess of Sussex." Lady Anne Fitzroy, 
daughter of Charles II. by the Duchess of Cleveland and wife 
of Thomas, Lord Dacre and Earl of Sussex. 

Psecas, an envious nymph, enemy to Calisto, beloved by 
Mercury. " The Lady Mary Mordant," daughter and heir of 
Henry, second Earl of Peterborough : she married in 1677, 
Henry, seventh Duke of Norfolk, from whom she was divorced 
in April, 1700. She afterwards married Sir John Germaine, to 
whom she left a great part of the Peterborough estates. 

Diana, goddess of Chastity. " Mrs. Blagge, late maid of 
honour to the Queen." Mrs. Godolphin. 

Mercury, in love with Psecas. " Mrs. Jennings, maid of 
honour to the Duchess." Sarah Jennings, afterwards married 
to John Churchill, the great Duke of Marlborough. 

The " Nymphs attending on Diana, who also danced in the 
Prologue, and in several Entries in the Play," were 

' ; The Countess of Darby." Dorothea Helena, daughter of 
John Poliander de Kirkhoven, by Catharine, Countess of Ches- 
terfield, daughter of Thomas, second Lord Wotton. The 
Countess was widow of Charles Stanley, eighth Earl of Derby, 
who had died Dec. 21, 1672. 

• : The Countess of Pembroke." Henriette de Querouaille 
(sister to the Duchess of Portsmouth), wife of Philip Herbert, 
seventh Earl of Pembroke. Bishop Kennett spells the name 
CareweU. 



134 NOTES. 



" The Lady Katharine Herbert." Sister-in-law to the pre- 
ceding, being daughter of the fifth Earl of Pembroke, by 
Katharine, daughter of Sir William Villiers of Brookesby. 

" Mrs. Fitz-Gerald." Probably Katharine (daughter of 
John Fitz Gerald of Dromana), who married in 1677, Edward 
Villiers, eldest son of George, fourth Viscount Grandison. 

"Mrs. Frazier, maid of honour to the Queen." 

The " men that danced " were 

" His Grace the Duke of Monmouth." 

" The Viscount Dunblaine." Edward Osborne, Lord Lati- 
mer, one of the Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to Charles II., 
eldest son of Thomas, Earl of Danby (afterwards created Mar- 
quis of Carmarthen and Duke of Leeds). After the representa- 
tion, but before the publication of the piece, the Earl of Danby 
was created Viscount Dunblaine in Scotland, which dignity 
was assumed as a title of courtesy by his son, Lord Latimer. 
By Table I. it will be seen that the present Duke of Leeds is 
the lineal representative of Mrs. Godolphin. 

" The Lord Daincourt." Robert Leake, eldest son of Nico- 
las, second Earl of Scarsdale, whom he afterwards succeeded 
in that title. 

" Mrs. Moon." 

"Mr. Harpe." 

" Mr. Lane." 
Neither in this list, nor amongst the names given in the Diary, 
is the name of the Duchess of Monmouth, whom Evelyn here 
mentions as one of "the shineing beautyes " who performed. 
It is probable that Evelyn's Diary written at the time, corrobo- 
rated as it is by the published list, is the more correct on this 
point. The Duchess of Monmouth too had some years before 
met with a severe accident whilst dancing, which caused an 
incurable lameness. See Pepys' Diary, Sept. 20, 1668. 

P. 54. " The Countess of Suffolk:'' " Was at the repetition 
of the pastoral, on which occasion Mrs. Blagg had about her 
neere 20,000/. worth of Jewells, of which she lost one, worth 
about SO/., borrow'd of the Countess of Suffolk. The press was 
so greate, that 'tis a wonder she lost no more. The Duke 



NOTES. 135 



made it good." Diary, Dec. 22, 1674. The Countess of Suf- 
folk was Barbara, daughter of Sir Edward Villiers, (see Table 
III.) widow of Sir Richard Wentworth, and second wife of 
James Howard, third Earl of Suffolk. She died in 1681. 

P. 56. " The master of the Robes, now Earle of Rochester." 
Laurence Hyde (second son of the Chancellor Clarendon) 
created Earl of Rochester at the end of 1682, a fact which 
proves that Evelyn did not write this life until some years after 
Mrs. Godolphin's death. 

P. 56. " Dr. Lake." John Lake, afterwards Bishop of 
Chichester. 

P. 58. " My lady Hamilton." " A sprightly young lady, 
much in the good graces of the [Berkeley] family, wife of that 
valiant and worthy gentleman George Hamilton, not long after 
slain in the wars. She had been a maid of honour to the 
Duchess and now turned Papist." Diary, 12 Nov. 1675. This 
was Frances Jennings (elder sister of Sarah, Duchess of Marl- 
borough) widow of Sir George Hamilton, grandson of James, 
first Earl of Abercorn, and brother of Count Anthony Hamilton, 
author of the Memoires de Grammont. Lady Hamilton after- 
wards married Richard Talbot, created Duke of Tyrconnel. 
and is well known as the Duchess of Tyrconnel. After this it 
is curious to read in Pennant's words, " Above stairs (at the 
New Exchange in the Strand) sat, in the character of a mille- 
ner, the reduced Duchess of Tyrconnel, wife to Richard Tal- 
bot, lord deputy of Ireland under James II. a bigoted papist, 
and fit instrument of the designs of the infatuated prince, who 
had created him Earl before his abdication, and after that 
Duke of Tyrconnel. A female, suspected to have been his 
duchess, after his death, supported herself for a few days (till 
she was known and otherwise provided for) by the little trade 
of this place : having delicacy enough not to wish to be detected, 
she sat in a white mask, and a white dress, and was known by 
the name of the white widoiv." This'story, if true, forms a sin- 
gular contrast to that which Pepys relates of her in his Diary, 
21 Feb. 1664-5, :c What mad freaks the mayds of honor at 
court have ! That Mrs. Jenings, one of the Dutchesse's maids, 



136 NOTES. 



the other day dressed herself like an orange wench, and went 
up and down and cried oranges ; till falling down, or by some 
accident, her fine shoes were discerned, and she put to a great 
deal of shame." The Duchess of Tyrconnei died in Dublin 
7 March, 1730 ; her husband died Aug. 14, 1691. 

P. 59. " Ambassador to the Court of France." John, Lord 
Berkeley, of Stratton, (see Table II.) left England on this 
Embassy 14 Nov. 1675. Evelyn in his Diary for Oct. and 
Nov. in 1675, gives many particulars. If we were to trust to 
the editor of Evelyn's Diary and to the noble editor of Pepys', 
the Lord and Lady Berkeley, so often named as Mrs. Godol- 
phin's warm friends, were George Lord Berkeley, afterwards 
created Earl of Berkeley, and his wife Elizabeth, daughter and 
co-heir of John Massingbeard, esq. of Lincolnshire, and in the 
absence of all connexion between them and the families of 
Blagge and Godolphin there would be great difficulty in show- 
ing any probable cause for the friendship, not to call it patron- 
age, which Mrs. Godolphin and her husband received. The 
editors of Evelyn and Pepys have unfortunately fallen into the 
error, which I have pointed out as having been committed be- 
fore them by Pennant, of confounding the two Lords Berkeley, 
if not the two " Berkeley-houses." 

Lord Berkeley of Stratton, originally known as Si rJohn 
Berkeley, and in the service of Charles I. at the same time with 
Colonel Blagge, Mrs. Godolphin's father, was concerned with 
John Ashburnham and* Colonel Legge in the flight of Charles 
I. from Hampton Court to the Isle of Wight, a vexed point of 
history, on which Lord Clarendon's misstatements have been 
well corrected by the late Earl of Ashburnham. During the 
exile of the royal family he became the favourite of James, Duke 
of York, whose favour he never lost ; although he was repre- 
sented to Charles as the secret agent of the Court of France, 
and as the known enemy of the Chancellor Clarendon and his 
party. The Chancellor's enmity Berkeley shared alike with 
Ashburnham and Legge, the first however obtained his peer- 
age in 1658, as the price of James' return to his brother Charles ; 
the others, although high in favour with Charles II. were en- 



NOTES. 137 



nobled in the persons of their descendants. Clarendon makes 
the enmity between himself and Berkeley to arise from his op- 
position to Berkeley's claim to the mastership of the Court of 
Wards : James II. in his Memoirs, from Clarendon's advice to 
Lady Morton to reject Berkeley's proposals of marriage. Lady 
Morton, one of the brightest ornaments of " the beautiful race 
of Villiers," was Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Edward Villiers, 
niece of the Duke of Buckingham, and widow of Robert Dou- 
glas, 8th Earl of Morton, who died in 1649. Whilst Lady Dal- 
keith, and during the stay of Charles the First's family at 
Exeter, she had had the charge of the Princess Henrietta, 
afterwards Duchess of Orleans, and to her Fuller inscribes his 
" Good Thoughts in Bad Times." Her noble rescue of her 
royal ward, whom she carried on her back to Dover, in the 
disguise of a beggar and her child, is well known. Lady Mor- 
ton died in 1654. Besides enjoying the personal favour of the 
Duke of York, Berkeley was a near kinsman of the influential 
Harry Jermyn, Earl of St. Albans, who, as we see by the table 
of the Blagge family, was also a relative of Mrs. Godolphin: 
the close connexion of the Berkeley and Godolphin families 
fully accounts for the long and intimate friendship which existed 
between them. 

After the Restoration Berkeley's rise was rapid, and his 
employments numerous. In 1660 he was appointed a commis- 
sioner of the Admiralty, in June 1662 a privy counsellor for 
Ireland, and soon afterwards Lord President of Connaught. 
In 1664 he was made a master of the ordnance, and in 1665 a 
commissioner of Tangier. All these offices he held at the same 
time, and so early as 1663, Pepys says that Lord Berkeley 
boasted of having gained £50,000 in the navy alone. This 
sum appears so great that I suspect some error in the trans- 
cription of Pepys' Diary. If it be true, there can be no wonder 
that, in 1665, we read of Berkeley's beginning a house at St. 
James', next to the Lord Chancellor's, nor at Evelyn's mention- 
ing, in 1672, that it had cost £30,000. He had also more indi- 
rect ways of obtaining money through his influence with the 
Duke of York, as Pepys mentions in 1668. In April 1670 Lord 



138 NOTES. 



Berkeley was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, where he 
remained till August 1672. In October 1674, he was named 
to the embassy to France, in which he was accompanied by 
Mrs. Godolphin and by Evelyn's son. Prom this embassy he 
returned in June 1677, and in the following year he died. 

As Evelyn and Pepys' Diaries may be consulted, I add 
the following corrected index to the places where Lord Berke- 
ley of Stratton is meant, (8vo. editions). Evelyn ii. 255. 260. 
373-375. 398. 413. 417. 421. 425. hi. 90. 117. 177. 338. Pepys 
i. 115. 121. 122. 163. 282.; ii. 21. 101. 132. 141. 173. 224. 238. 
249. 250. 256. 346. 423. ; hi. 167. 183. 228. 236. 386. 395. ; iv. 
62. 174. 181. The other places relate to George, Lord Berke- 
ley, of Berkeley, afterwards Earl of Berkeley, viz. Evelyn, vol. 
ii. 136. 140. 147. 198. 214. 385 ; vol. iii. 67. Pepys, vol. i. 39. 
95. 305. ; vol. ii. SO. ; vol. iii. 87. 230. 291.; vol. v. 42-45. 

P. 65. " Nothing like Pinto's Travels." The name of 
Fernam Mendez Pinto will ever remain associated with false- 
hood and exaggeration. He lived in the 16th century, but his 
travels were not translated into English until 1663, whence 
probably Mrs. Godolphin's acquaintance with them. Con- 
greve's well known lines, almost become proverbial, (and 
which it is impossible to quote without remembering their 
witty application by the present Bishop of Llandaff,) 

" Fernam Mendez Pinto was but a type of thee, 
Thou liar of the first magnitude !" 

Love for Love, Act ii. Sc. 5. 

were not written until after Mrs. Godolphin's death. Claude's 
Defence de la Reformation, written in reply to the Jansenist 
Nicole, was first published in 1673, so that at the time of Mrs. 
Godolphin's visit to Paris, the book must have had the addi- 
tional charm of novelty. 

P. 65. u That baile of theirs." Perhaps for bale, sorrow, 
or destruction. 

P. 65. " My charge your son." "I settled affaires, my sonn 
being to go into France, with my Lord Berkeley, designed 
ambassador extraordinary for France, and plenipotentiary for 
the general peace of Nimeguen." Diary, 15 Oct. 1675. This 



NOTES. 139 



son was John Evelyn, great-grandfather of the present Arch- 
bishop of York. At this time he was about nineteen years of 
age. 

P. 66. " My Lady H." Lady Hamilton, see p. 58. 

P. 67. " Mr. Bernard Greenvile," of Abs-Court at Walton 
on Thames in Surrey, " an old house in a pretty parke." 
Diary, 17 Sept. 3673. In August 1672, Bernard Grenville had 
been sent on a mission to Savoy, and it was probably on his 
return from this mission that he escorted Mrs. Godolphin to 
England. He was the second son of Sir Beville Grenville, 
killed at Lansdowne fight, whose eldest son, Sir John Gren- 
ville, the bearer of Charles II. 's messages to the Lords and 
Commons, was created Viscount Lansdowne and Earl of Bath. 
After the death, without issue, of William, grandson of the first 
Earl of Bath ; George, second son of Bernard Grenville, was 
created Lord Lansdowne in 1711. He is well known from his 
poetical talents. 

P. 6S. " Dr. WarnelVs in Covent Garden, whose wife was 
her near relation." Of this relationship I find no trace. 

P. 70. " Lease she had of certaine lands in Spalding" 
See Diary of 9 Nov. 1676. " Finished the lease of Spalding 
for Mr. Godolphin." 

P. 70. " Her pretty habitation in Scotland Yard." " To 
London, to take order about building an house, or rather an 
apartment which had all the conveniences of an house, for my 
deare friend Mr. Godolphin and lady, which I undertook to 
contrive and survey, and employ workmen, till it should be 
quite finished, it being just over against his majesties wood 
yard by the Thames side, leading to Scotland Yard." Diary, 
12 Sept. 1676. 

P. 73. " The picture she some years since bestowed upon 
me." See preface to this volume. 

P. 74. " My lady Viscountess Mordant." Elizabeth Carey, 
daughter and sole heir of Thomas, second son of Robert, Earl 
of Monmouth, wife of John, Viscount Mordaunt of Avalon, eldest 
son of John, Earl of Peterborough. 

P. 74. " Your ladyship and sister Gr"(aham). Dorothy 



140 NOTES. 



Howard, wife of Cobnel James Graham of Levens. See 
Table IV. 

P. 74. " Mr. AshmoWsatt LambathP This visit was on the 
23rd of July, and on the same day, "Mr. Godolphin was made 
master of the robes to the King." On the 25th July, Evelyn adds, 
" there was sent to me £70 from whom I knew not, to be by 
me distributed among the poore people : I afterwards found it 
was from that deare friend (Mrs. Godolphin) who had fre- 
quently given me large sums to bestow on charities." It is 
scarcely necessary to say that the museum called " Mr. Ash- 
mole's att Lambath" is now the Ashmolean at Oxford. Of the 
MSS. which Evelyn mentions in his Diary, a catalogue has 
recently been printed by the University. 

P. 77. " Mr. Harvey, treasurer to her MajestyeP John 
Hervey, eldest son of Sir William Hervey of Ickworth ; he 
was a great favourite with Charles II. a leading man in Par- 
liament, and a patron of letters: he died 18 Jan. 1679. 

P. 79. " Dr. Needham." Diary, Nov. 4, 1679. " Went to 
the funerall of my pious, dear and ancient learned friend, Dr. 
Jasper Needham, who was buried at St. Bride's Church. He 
was a true and holy Christian, and one who loved me with 
greate affection." 

P. 79. " Dr. Short." Dr. Peregrine Short, " reputed a pa- 
pist, but who was in truth, a very honest good Christian," and 
by whose advice Charles II. had first taken the Jesuits back. 
Diary, 20 Nov. 1694. 

P. 82. " Mrs. Boscawen" her sister in law, see Tables I. 



and V. 



TABLE I. 
PEDIGREE OF BLAGGE AND GODOLPHIN. 



Cecily, 

John Brooke, Lord Cobham, by Mar- 
garet, dau. of Edward Neville, Lord 
Abergavenny. She married also John 
Barret, and, thirdly, Sir Richard Wal- 
den, Knt. She died 35 Hen. VIII. 



ife) dau. of Sir=RoBERT Blagge, or Blague, or— Katherine, (first 



Blage, of Broke Montague, co, 
Somerset, and Cleyndon, in Da- 
rent, co. Kent. Baron of the 
Exchequer, 27 June, 1511, d. 13 
Sept. 1522. 



Anne, (first'- 
wife) dau. of 
Sir George 
Hevening- 

ham. 



: Sir Ambrose = Dorothy, (second wife 
Jermyn, of dau. of William Badbye, 
Rushbrook, widow of Richard Good- 
co. Suffolk, riche. In 1563, she had a 
d. 1577. lease from Eliz. of the ma- 

nor of Stanmore, co. Mid- 
dlesex, d. April, 1594. 



)=Sir Gi 



wife,) dau. and h. of 

Thos. Brune, or 
Browne ofHorseman's 
Place, in Dartford, co. 
Kent. 



EORGE BARNABY JOHN 

Blagge, Blagge, who Blag- 
Knt. b. 1512, in 33 Hen. VIII. GE.ob. 
d. 1551. See sold Horse- s. p. 

note A. man's Place, 

ob. s. p. 



Sir Robert = Judith 
Jermyn, of I Blagge, 
Rushbrook, d. Oct. 
d. 19 April, 1614. 
1614. 



Henry Blagge, of Hornings-. 
berth, co. Suffolk, who sold 
Clevndon, 24 Eliz. d. April, 
1596. 



Hesther 

Jermyn, 

m. 8 Oct. 

1571. 



Charles Le : 
Grise, of 
Brockdish. 



"Hesther 

Blagge, 

m.25 

Nov. 

1566. 



Susan, who mar- 
ried Sir William 
Hervey, ancestor 
of the Marquess 
of Bristol. 



Sir Thomas 
Jermyn, of 
Rushbrooke, 
living 1622. 



Marga- = 

ret 
Clarke. 

FiveC 



Ambrose Blagge, —Martha Barber, Doro- 



of Horningsherth, 
d. 1662. 

lildren. 



of Bury, first wife, thy 
m. 31 Mar. 1608, Blag- 
d. Aug. 1624. ge. 



Thomas Jer- 
myn, whose 
son, Thomas, 
succeeded as 
second Lord 
Jermyn, but 
died s. p. in 
1703. 



Henry Jer- 
myn, created 
Lord Jermyn 
in .1684, with 
limitation to 
his brother, 
created Earl 
of St. Al- 
bans 1660. 
Died s. p. 
1683. 



Tl 



Colonel Thomas Blagge,=Mary North, George Martha, 



of Horningsherth, Groom of 
the Bedchamber to Charles I. 
andGovernor of Wallingford, 
which surrendered to Fairfax 
in 1646. After the restora- 
tion he was colonel of a regi- 
ment and Governor of Yar- 
mouth and Landguard Fort, 
d. 14 Nov. 1660, buried at 
Westminster, where a monu- 
ment to him formerly existed. 



dau. of Sir Ro- 
ger North, of 

Mildenhall, 
by Elizabeth, 

dau. of Sir 
John Gilbert, 
of Great Fin- 

borow, co. 
Suffolk. 



Blagge. 



Harry 
Blagge. 



Judith. 
Anne. 



Katha- 
rine. 



Sir Tho-— Henrietta Dorothy MARGA- 
mas Yar- Maria Blagge. RET 
burgh of Blagge Mary BLAGGE, 
Snaith, (for whom Blagge. b. 2 Aug. 
Sheriff of see Gram- 1652, Maid 

Yorksh. mont's Me- of Honor 

1676, set. moirs.) to Queen Catharine, 

37. m. 16 May, 1675, d. 

9 Sept. 1678, buried 
at Breage, co. Corn- 
wall, 16 Sept. 1678. 



r~ 



: Sidney Godolphin, 3rd Henry==Mary Jane 
son of Sir Francis Go- Godol- dau. 
dolphin, K. B. A Lord phin, of 
of the Treasury in 1679, Pro- Col. 
and first Lord in 1684. vost of Sid- 
Created Lord Godol- Eton, ney 
phin , of Rialton, in Sept. and Go- 
1684. Lord High Trea- Dean dol- 
surer in 1704, K. G. ere- of St. phin. 
ated Viscount Rialton, Paul's, 
and Earl of Godolphin, d. Jan. 
29 Dec. 1706. Died 1712. 1733. 



Go- 
dol- 
phin, 

m. 
Edw. 



wen. 

See 

Tab. 

V 



NOTES. 



143 



Ten children, of whom two were 
maids of honor. The youngest of 
these (Alice), was maid of honor 
to Queen Anne, dving at Windsor 
in 1786, set. 97. The other (Hen- 
rietta Maria) married Sir Marma- 
duke Wyvill, hart, of Constable 
Burton, co. Yorkshire. 



Francis Godolphin, 2nd : 
Earl of Godolphin, and 
Viscount Rialton, b.3 Sept. 
1678, created in 1735, Lord 
Godolphin of Helstone, 
with remainder to the is- 
sue of his uncle Henry. 
Died 17 Jan. 1766. 



Henrietta Church- 
ill, eldest dau. and 
co-heir of John, Duke 
of Marlborough. Du- 
chess of Marlborough 
in her own right. 
Died 24 Oct. 1733, 
set. 53. 



Francis 
Godol- 
phin, 2nd 
Lord Go- 
dolphin of 
Helstone. 
Ob. s. p. 
1785. 



Thomas = 


=Henri- 


Henry 


Pelham 


ETTA 


Godol- 


Holles, 


Godol- 


phin, 


Duke of 


phin, 


died 


Newcas- 


m. 2 


young. 


tle, K.G. 


April, 
1717, d. 





| 2. 
Thomas Os-=Mary Go- 



borne, 4th 

Duke of 

Leeds, b. 6 

Nov. 1713. 

K. G. d. 23 

Mar. 1789. 



DOLPHIN, 

m.26 

June, 

1740, d. 3 

Aug. 1764, 

art. 41. 



William Godol-= 
phin, called Vis- 
count Rialton, af- 
terwards Marquis 
of Blandford, ob. 
s. p. 24 Aug. 1731, 
whereby the Marl- 
borough titles and 
estates passed to 
Spencer, Earl of 
Sunderland. 



: Mary Caterina 
d'Yonghe, d. of 
Peter d'Yonghe, 
of Utrecht, m. 15 
April, 1729; she 

remarried, 1st 
June, 1734, Sir 
William Wynd- 
ham, Bart. andd. 
1779, s. p. Buried 
at Mortlake. 



Thomas Os- Amelia D'Arcy, (first wife) only— Francis Godolphin 



borne, Mar- dau. and h. of Robert, last Earl 
quis of Car- of Holderness, and Baroness Con- 
marthen, b. yers, remarried in 1779, John By- 
1747, d. 1761. ron, esq. (father of Lord Byron) 
and died in 178] . 



Osborne, 5th Duke 

of Leeds, born 29 Jan. 

175 J, died 31 Jan. 

1799. 



Catharine Anguish, 
(second wife) m. 1788, 
Mistress of the Robes 
to Oueen Adelaide, d. 
1837. 



George Wil- : 
liam Frede- 
ric Osborne, 
6th Duke of 
Leeds, Baron 

Conyers, b. 

1775, m. 1797, 

d. 1838. 



Charlotte Francis Go- 
Towns- dolphin Os- 



hend, dau, 

of George, 

1st Marquis 

Towns- 

hend. 



borne, b. 

1777. m. 1800. 
Created in 
1832, Lord 
Godolphin 

of Farnham 

Royal. 



Elizabeth Tho- : 
Chap.lotte mas 
Eden, dau. Pel- 
of William, ham, 
1st Lord Earl 
Auckland. of 
Chi- 
ches- 
ter. 



Mary Hen- Sidney Catha 
rietta Ju- Godol- rine 
liana os- phin 
Os- 



borne, b 

1776, m. 

1801. 



Anne 

Mary 

borne, Osborne 

b. 16 b. 1798, 

m.in 1819 

Cap. John. 

Whyte 

Melville. 



Dec. 
1789. 



Francis=LouisaGeorge = =. . . . William=Caroline Sydney = Emi- D'Arcy Char 

Godol- Catha- Os- Stew- b. 1804, 

phin rine borne, art. m. first 

D'Arcy Caton. b. 1802, Emma 

Os- m.1824. Smith. 

borne, 7th Duke in 1832. 

of Leeds, b. ]79S, m. 1834; 



m. 1828. 



Montagu, Godol 
(sec. wife) phin 

dau. of Os- 
Lord borne, | coe 

Rokeby, b. 1800, I Gren 



ly, Godol- lotte 
d. of phin Osborne 
Pas- Osborne b. 1805, 
b. 1814. m. Sir T. 
H. L. 



in holy 
orders. 



FELL. 



Brinckman, 
Bart. d. 1838. 



144 NOTES. 



Note A. 

Sir George Blagge deserves more notice than the mere mention of 
his name in the preceding table. 

He was born in the year 1512, and was educated at Cambridge.' 
At a comparatively early age he was introduced at the Court of Henry 
VIII. 2 and in the absence of other criteria we may judge favourably of 
him from the characters of his two chief companions and friends, the 
Earl of Surrey and Sir Thomas Wyat. In October, 1543, when the 
Imperialists under the immediate eye of Charles V. aided by the English 
under the command of Sir John Wallop, formed the siege of Landreci, 3 
which Francis I. hastened to relieve in person, Surrey with other young 
nobles, joined the English forces, and was accompanied in his expedi- 
tion by G. Blagge. Both incurred personal danger, and Sir John Wal- 
lop mentions in a letter to the King a narrow escape of Blagge* in these 
terms. " Yesterday, Blagge, who arrived here with my Lord of Surrey, 
went with Mr. Carew to see the said trench, and escaped very hardly 
from a piece of ordnance that was shot towards him." 

A proof of the high estimation in which Blagge was held by Surrey, 
is afforded by the following beautiful lines, prefixed to his version of the 
Ixxiii. Psalm. 5 

" The sudden stonns that heave me to and fro, 

Had well near pierced Faith, my guiding sail. 
For I that on the noble voyage go 

To succour truth, and falsehood to assail, 
Constrained am to bear my sails full low : 

And never could attain some pleasant gale. 
For unto such the prosperous winds do blow 

As men from port to port to seek avail. 



1) Works of Surrey and Wyat, by Nott, vol. i. p. xcvi. 

2) Strype's Annals (Oxford Ed.), vol. ii. pt. ii. p. 419, 

3) Surrey and Wyat, vol. i. app. xxxix. 

4) lb. vol. i. p. IviL 

5) Surrey and Wyat, vol i. p. 80. 



NOTES. 145 



This bred despair; whereof such doubts did grow 
That I gan faint, and all my courage fail. 

But now, my Blage, mine error well I see; 
Such goodly light King David giveth me" 

In a court like that of Henry VIII. high favour was near akin to 
danger and to death, and Blagge escaped as hardly from the fires in 
Smithfield as from the French cannon at Landreci. In 1546, when 
Wriothesley and Gardiner commenced their persecutions on the statute 
of the Six Articles, he was taken up as a " favorer of the Gospel," 6 
and was only saved by Henry's personal interposition. Fox's narrative 
is this : 7 

" Here would also something be said of Sir George Blage, one of the 
King's Privy Chamber, who, being falsely accused by Sir Hugh Caver- 
ley, knt. and Master Littleton, was sent for by Wriothesley, Lord Chan- 
cellor, the Sunday before Anne Askew suffered, and the next day was 
carried to Newgate, and from thence to Guildhall, where he was con- 
demned the same day, and appointed to be burned the Wednesday 
following. The words which his accusers laid unto him were these : 
' What if a mouse should eat the bread 1 then, by my consent, they 
should hang up the mouse :' whereas, indeed these words he never 
spake, as to his life's end he protested. But the truth (as he said) was 
this, that they, craftily to undermine him, walking with him in Paul's 
Church, after a sermon of Dr. Crome, asked if he were at the sermon. 
He said * Yea.' * I heard say,'*saith Master Littleton, « that he said in his 
sermon, that the mass profiteth neither for the quick nor for the dead.' 
' No,' saith Master Blage, ' Wherefore then 1 Belike for a gentleman, 
when he rideth a hunting, to keep his horse from stumbling.' And so 
they departing, immediately after he was apprehended (as is shewed) 
and condemned to be burned. When this was heard among them of 
the Privy Chamber, the King, hearing them whispering together (which 
he could never abide) commanded them to tell him the matter. 
Whereupon the matter being opened, and suit made to the King, espe- 
cially by the good Earl of Bedford, then Lord Privy Seal, the King, 
being sore offended with their doings, that they would come so near 



6) Strype's Memorials, vol. i. pt. i. p. 598. 

7) Fox's Acts and Monuments, 1135 (ed. 1546). 

8 



146 NOTES. 



him, and even into his Privy Chamber, without his knowledge, sent for 
Wriothesley, commanding eftsoons to draw out his pardon himself, 
and so was set at liberty : who, coming after to the King's presence, 
* Ah ! my pig ' (saith the King to him, for so he was wont to call him). 
' Yea/ said he, ' if your Majesty had not been better to me than your 
bishops were, your pig had been roasted ere this time.' " 

Fox is in error 8 when he speaks of Blagge as one of the Gentlemen 
of the Privy Chamber, a post which he never held, and also in calling 
him at that time Sir George Blagge. Fox antedates Biagge's knight- 
hood, an honour which was conferred on him in 1547, by the Protector 
Duke of Somerset, whom, whilst Earl of Hertford, Blagge accompanied 
in the Expedition to Scotland. 9 Blagge was knighted after the fight at 
Mussleborough, 10 and in the same year he and Sir Thomas Holcroft 
were made Commissioners of the Musters. 11 In 1548-9 occurred that 
tragedy wherein one Seymour, the Lord Admiral, fell by the warrant of 
his own brother, the Protector, Duke of Somerset, himself destined to 
fall under the same axe. Some of the depositions of the witnesses against 
the Lord Admiral have long since appeared ; 155 those of the Marquis 
of Dorset, the Lord Russell, (Privy Seal) Sir George Blagge, and Lord 
Clynton, have only recently been brought to light. 13 Biagge's evidence 
tends to prove the criminal projects of the Lord Admiral. 

In 1550 died Lord Wriothesley, at whose hands whilst Lord Chan- 
cellor, Blagge had incurred such imminent peril. His narrow escape 
may account for, although it cannot excuse the severity of the only 
remains of Biagge's writings ; which are lines on the death of Wriothe- 
sley. Dr. Nott, by whom they were first printed, 14 and in whose work 
they may be found, says that he gives them " from the Harington MS. 
more from the circumstance of their having been written by one of 
Surrey's friends than from any merit they possess." 

8) Strype's Annals, vol. ii. pt. ii. p. 419. 

9) Surrey and Wyat, vol. ii. p. lxxxiii. 

10) Holinshed, vol. iii. p. 888. 

11) Holinshed, vol. iii. p. 868. 

12) In Haynes' State Papers from the Burghley Collections, belonging to the Marquis 
of Salisbury, at Hatfield. 

13) From the State Paper Office, by Mr. Fraser Tytler in hi* " England during the 
reigns of Edw. VI. and Mary," vol. i. pp. 146, etc. 

14) Surrey and Wyat, vol. i. p. xcvi. 



NOTES. 147 



On the 17th June in the following year, 1551, 15 Sir George Blagge 
died at Stanmore in Middlesex, of which his wife Dorothy afterwards 
obtained a lease from Queen Elizabeth. 

Sir Thomas Wyat was wont to say that he cherished three friends 
in particular — " Poynings for the generosity of his disposition, Blagge 
for his wit, and Mason for his learning." 16 In a letter from Lever to 
Ascham 17 it is said, in allusion to his loss, that England was " punished, 
as to courtship, by Gentle Blage." iS 



15) Gage's History of Suffolk. 

16) Surrey and Wyat, vol. ii. p. Ixxxiii. 

17) Strype's Cheke, p. 89. 

18) By a statement in Nott's Surrey and Wyat, vol. ii. p. lxv. it would seem that 
Blagge did not die until after his friend Wyat's execution in 1553, as he was appointed to 
offices previously held by Wyat, viz. " Keeper of the King's Messuage at Maidstone," 
and " High Steward of Maidstone." 



TABLE II. 

SHEWING THE CONNEXION BETWEEN SIDNEY 

GODOLPHIN AND THE FAMILY OF LORD 

BERKELEY OF STRATTON. 



Sir William Go- 
dolphin. 



Thomasin Sidney. 



Sir Maurice = Elizabeth, dau. of Sir 
Berkeley. Henry Killigrew. 



Fran- 
cis 
Go- 
dol- 
phin. 



: Doro- 
thy, 
dau. of 
Charles 
Berke- 
ley, of 
Garling- 
ton. 



Pene-=Sir Charles Sir John Berkeley, of= 
lope 
Go- 
dol- 
phin. 



jerkeley, 
succeeded 
his son as 
2nd Vis- 
count 
Fitzhar- 
dinge. d. 



Bruton, the friend of 
James, Duke of York, 
James II. created Lord 
Berkeley, of Stratton,29 
May,1658,LordDeputyof 
Ireland 16 , Ambassa- 
dor to France, 1675, 
(see p. 59,) died 1678. 



^Christian, dau. of Sir An- 
drew Riccard (President 
of the East India Com- 
pany) widow of Henry, 
Lord Kensington, son of 
Henry, Earl of Holland. 
The LADY BERKE- 
LEY so often mentioned. 



Sir 


Sid- 


Mau- Charles= 


= Eliza- 


John 


Wil- 


ney 


rice Berke- 


beth, 


Ber- 


liam 


Go- 


Ber- ley, 


dau. 


ke- 


Go- 


dol- 


ke- created 


of 


ley, 


dol- 


phin, 


ley, Lord 


Her- 


4th 


phin. 


who 


3rd Berke- 


vey 


Vis- 




mar- 


Vis- ley of 


Bagot, 


count 




ried 


' count Rath- 


The 


Fitz- 




Mar- 


Fitz- downe, 


LADY 


har- 




garet 


har- and Vis- 


FAL- 


dinge. 




Blagge dinge. count 


MOUTH. 






the 


d. Fitzhar- 


See p. 






subject 


1690. dinge, 


10. 






of this 


with re- 


She married se- 




me- 


mainder 


condly Charles 




moir. 


to his fa- 


Sackville 


, Earl 






ther, af- 


of Dorset. 






terwards created 










Lord Bottcourt, 










and Earl of 










Falmouth. Killed 










3 June, 1665. 







= Bar- Charles, John 
bara, 
dau. of 

Sir 
Edw. 
Vil- 
liers, 
sister 
of the 

1st 
Earl of 
Jer- 
sey, d. 
1708. 



2nd 
Lord 
Berke- 
ley of 
Strat- 
ton, d. 



3rd 
Lord 
Berke- 
ley of 
Strat- 
ton, d. 



Wil- 
liam, 
4th 
Lord 
Berke- 
ley of 
Strat- 
ton, d. 
1741. 



Fran- 
ces, 
dau. of 
Sir 
John 
Tem- 
ple, of 
East 
Sheen. 



John, 5th Lord Berke- 
ley, d. unm. 1773. He 
left his chief estates to 
Earl Berkeley. 



TABLE III. 

TO SHEW THE PATRONAGE EXTENDED TO MRS. 
GODOLPHIN BY THE DUKE OF BUCK- 
INGHAM'S FAMILY. 

Audrey Sanders, dau. of William = SiR George Villiers,=Mary Beaumont, created Coun- 







Sanders. 


T 






tess of Buckingham, 


1675. 


1 

Sir 


1 
Sir Ed - = 


r 

=Barbara St. George = 


- Lady 


WlLLIAM — 


MaryVilliers.wIio 


William ward Vil- 


John, niece Villiers, 


Catha- Fielding, 


erected a 


splendid 


Vil- 


LIERS, d. 


of the 1st 1st Duke of 


rine 1st Earl of 


monument at Ports- 


LIERS 


7 Sept. 


Viscount Bucking- 


Man- 


Denbigh. 


mouth to 


her bro- 




1626. 


Grandison. ham. 


ners. 




ther's memory. 


WlL- = 


=Mary, James=I 


Jarbara George Mary 


1 
Mary 


1 

Anne 


Lewis = 


= Eliza- 


LIAM 


dau. of How- 


Vil- Vil- Vil- 


Field- 


Field- 


Boyle 


beth 


VlL- 


Paul, ARD, 


liers, LIERS, LIERS, m 


. ing, m. 


ing, first 


Vis- 


Field<- 


LERS, 


Vis- 3rd i 


widow of 2nd James, 


James 


wife of 


count 


ING, 


2nd 


count Earl of 


Philip, Duke of 4th Duk< 


i Duke of 


Baptist 
Noel, 


Kenel- 


created 


Vis- 


Bay- Suf- 


son of Bucking- of Len- 


Hamil- 


mea- 


COUN- 


count 


ning. folk. 


Philip, ham, who nox.anc 


ton, be- 


3rd Vis- 


ky. 


TESS of 


Gran- 




discount was ac- 3rd Duk 


e headed 


count 


2nd 


GUIL- 


dison. 




Wen- compa- of Rich 


- in 1649, 


Camp- 


son of 


FORD 






man, d. nied in mond, 


by whom 
she had 


den. She 


Rich- 


for life, 






13 Dec. his escape called ii 


died 24 


ard, 


14 July, 




1 


581. The after the p. 5, ( TI 


le Anne, 


March, 


Earl of 


1660: 






COUN- battle of OLD 


Duchess 


1636. 


Cork. 


under 


* 




rESSof Worces- DUCH- 


of Ham- 






whose 






SUF- ter in ESS Op 


ilton, in 




care Mrs. Qodol- 






FOLK, 1651, by RICH- 


her own 




phin was placed 






see p. Colonel MOND, 


right. 




by the Duchess 






54. Blagge. who 






of Richmond, 






placed 






see p. 5. 


Barbai 


:a Villiers, wife 


Df Mrs. Oodolphir 


un- 








Roger 


Palmer, Earl 


of der the care of 


tile 








Castlem 


aine, and ere at 


id Countess of Q 


uil- 








Duel 


less o 


"Cleveland. 


ford. 













TABLE IV. 

SHEWING THE DESCENT AND CONNEXIONS OP 
LADY SYLVIUS. 



Thomas Howard, first Earl of Berkshire, 2nd — Elizabeth Cecil, dau. and co-heir of William 
son of Thomas, Earl of Suffolk, d. 1669. Earl of Exeter. 



Charles 
Howard, 
2nd Earl 
of Berk- 
sh. d. 
1679. 



Anne - 


1 

= Cra- = 


Ogle, 


VEN 


(first 


Ho- 


wife,) 


ward. 


maid of 




lonor to 




dueen 




Catha- 




rine. 





Thomas 


Hen- 


Wil- = 


=Elizabeth, 


Edward Sir Robert Ho- 


EIoward, 


ry 


LIAM 


dau. of Lord 


Howard. 


waRd, Auditor of 


3rd Earl 


How- 


How- 


Dundas, the 




the Exchequer, 


of Berk- 


ard, 


ard. 


mother of 




&c. the well- 


sh. d. 


d. 




Lady Syl- 




known author, 


1706. 


1663. 




vius. See p. 




lived at Ashted, 








15. 




near Epsom. 



Mary 
Bowes, 
(second 
wife,) 
dau. of 
George, 
B.of 
Elford. 



Col. : 
James 
Graham, 
of Le- 
vens, 
Privy 
Purse to 
James, 
D. of 
York. 



Dorothy 

Howard, 
maid of 
honour. 

The sister 
of Lady 
Sylvius. 
See pp. 

15 17,33, 
74. 



Sir Gabriel 

Sylvius, 

Hoffmaester 

to the Prince 
of Orange : 
Envoy to 

Brunswick in 

Feb. 1679-80, 
and Envoy 

Extr. to 
Denmark in 
June, 1685. 



Anne Howard, Henry Bowes-pCatherine Graham. 
©b. innupt. Howard, 4th I 

Earl of Berk- 
shire. 



Philip 
Howard. 



James 
Howard. 



Algernon 
Howard. 



Anne Howard, maid of 
honour to Oueen Catha- 
rine, m. 13 Nov. 1677, at 
Henry VII. 's Chapel, by 
the Dean of Westminster, 
Dr. John Dolben, then Bi- 
shop of Rochester, after- 
wards Archbishop of York. 
See an account of her mar- 
riage in .Evelyn, ii. 436. 
The LADY SYLVIUS to 
whom this work is dedica- 
ted. 



TABLE V. 

SHEWING THE CONNEXION BETWEEN THE 

FAMILIES OF GODOLPHIN, EVELYN, 

AND HARCOURT. 



Sir Francis=j= Dorothy, dan. of JOHN EVE- 
Godolphin, I Sir Charles Berke- LYN, d.1705, 
K. B. ley, of Yarlington. set. 85. 



Mary, dau. Sir Philip 

of Sir Ri- Harcourt, 

chard d. 1688. 
Browne. 



Anne, dau. of Sir 
William Waller, 
of Osterley Park, 
d. 1614. 



Sidney Godol-=MARGA 
PHiN, Earl of 

Godolphin, 
K. G. d. 1712. 



Edward = Jane John Eve-==Martha Simon, Vis- — Rebecca 
RET Bosca- Godol- lyn, ob. in Spen- count Har- dau. of 

BLAGGE, wen, d. phin, v. p. 1698. cer, d. court, Lord Thomas 
d. 1678. 1665. d. 1730. 1726. High Chan- Clark. 

cellor, d. 
1727. 



Francis Go-=Henrietta Hugh —Charlotte God- Anne —Sir John Eliza 



dolphin, 

2nd Earl of 

Godolphin, 

d. 1766. 



Churchill, Bosca- 

Duchess of wen, Vis. 

Marlbo- count Fal- 

rough, d. mouth, d. 

1733. 1734. 



frey, (niece of Bosca- 
the Duke of wen, 
Marlborough,) d. 1751. 
maid of honour to 
Q,ueen Anne, d. 
1754. 



Evelyn, 

Bart. d. 

1763. 



BETH 

Eve- 
lyn, d. 
1760. 



William 
Godol- 
phin, 
Marquis 
of Bland- 
ford, d. 
1731. 



Hon. 
Simon 
Har- 

COURT, 

d. 1720, 
in v. p. 



Thomas =Mary Mary =Sir John Simon,-t-Rebecca George Ven- 



OSBORNE, 

4th Duke 
of Leeds, 
d. 1789. 



Go Bosca- 

DOL- WEN,d. 

phin, 1749. 
died 
1764. 



[Evelyn, 1st Earl 
Bart. d. Har- 
1767. court, d. 
1777. 



Le Bass, 
d. 1765. 



ables Ver- 
non, Lord 
Vernon, d. 
1780. 



Martha 
Har- 

COURT, 

d. 1794. 



i r 

Francis G. Sir Frederic William George Simon =Elizabeth, Edward =fANNE Le 



Osborne, Evelyn, mar- Harcourt, Harcourt, 2nd 
5th Duke ried Mary 3rd Earl Earl Harcourt. 
of Leeds, Turton, d. s. Harcourt, ob. s. p. 1809. 
p. 1812. ob. s. p. 

See Table I. 



dau. of Geo. Venables 
Lord Ver- Vernon 
non, m. Harcourt 
1765. Abp. of 

York. 



VESON Go- 

WER.dau.of 

Granville, 

Marquis of 

Stafford. 



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